Tayvon Etefia, 18, was arrested on a Eurostar train at St Pancras International just two minutes before it was due to depart for Paris, after being convicted of murdering 18-year-old Keanu Harker. The arrest, captured on Metropolitan Police footage, shows officers boarding the train at 8:29 pm on June 29, 2025, and escorting Etefia off in handcuffs as the train departed without him.
Murder Linked to Social Media Dispute
The Old Bailey heard that the killing stemmed from a rivalry between two Enfield gangs: the 3×3 gang and Get Money Gang (GMG). On June 26, 2025, Etefia was riding an e-bike with accomplice Emmanuel Popoola, 18, as a passenger when Popoola shot Harker in the head and chest. Harker, who was cycling, died later that evening in hospital.
The dispute originated from a Snapchat argument where comments suggested Popoola could not afford mobile data. After the shooting, gang members boasted about the killing in drill rap videos shown to the jury.
Escape Attempt and Arrest
Etefia booked a Eurostar ticket for June 29, but detectives tracked his spending and arrested him at 8:29 pm, two minutes before the 8:31 pm departure. Meanwhile, Popoola had already reached Paris but was arrested after his girlfriend, 19-year-old Anais King, traveled to join him. French police followed King to Popoola's apartment, where he was arrested and extradited to London. King was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender upon her return to St Pancras.
Evidence and Convictions
After the murder, the pair dumped the e-bike and discarded clothing in Enfield Town Park. Etefia disposed of a machete in a neighboring garden. Eyewitnesses saw them walking away wearing balaclavas despite the hot June day. CCTV footage showed Popoola with a plastic bag believed to contain the gun. Associate Eliezer Mbaki, 25, drove them away in a black Ford Focus. A 16-year-old boy was sent to recover the e-bike.
Popoola, Etefia, and Mbaki were convicted of murder and assisting an offender, respectively. King and a 17-year-old boy were also convicted of assisting an offender. Sentencing is set for July 9-10, 2025.
Family Statement and Police Response
Keanu Harker's family released a statement expressing "unimaginable heartbreak" and urging young people to reject gang culture. They said: "Our son had just turned 18 when these individuals decided to take his life. We are grateful that some measure of justice has been served, but no amount of time they spend in prison will ever be enough for us."
Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, who led the investigation, stated: "This is a tragic case that yet again demonstrates why our commitment to tackling serious violence is so important. Our painstaking investigation established that Keanu was murdered because his killers took offence to something that was said in a social media group chat. Rather than ignore the comments, Emmanuel Popoola armed himself with a pistol and with the help of Tayvon Etefia carried out a drive-by shooting."
