Aderahman Boumzough, 25, has been jailed for 35 years for the murder of 15-year-old Rene Graham in a children's play area in west London. The shooting occurred at Emslie Horniman's Pleasance Park in Ladbroke Grove in July 2024 during a family music festival.
Sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court
Boumzough was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday after being found guilty of murder and attempted murder of another man. Judge Simon James described Boumzough as "callous and cold-blooded" in his sentencing remarks.
CCTV footage showed Boumzough calmly approaching the children's play area before firing a single shot. Further footage showed him chasing and attempting to shoot a second man before the gun jammed and he fled.
Evidence of Premeditation
Boumzough's phone contained a video of him appearing to rap about the jamming, saying: "Don't you hate it when your ting jams? I was prepared to take soul, but Allah had a different plan." The judge noted that Boumzough failed to provide an explanation or motive for "such extreme and gratuitous public violence" and showed "not even a flicker of remorse."
Impact on the Family
The judge said that Rene was just 15 and "should have had his whole life to realise his dreams and aspirations," and that it was "impossible not to be moved" by his family's attempt to describe their grief. He added: "I can do no more than echo Rene's mother's words that no mother should ever have to stand in a court and speak about the violent death of her son." The judge described the killing as "a premeditated public execution" of an unarmed and defenceless teenager.
Police Response
Det Ch Insp Alison Foxwell from the Metropolitan Police said after last week's verdicts: "While only a small number of people came forward, I would like to thank those individuals who provided statements and supported the investigation, including attending court, who refused to allow a dangerous individual such as Boumzough to live amongst them."
