Silent Disco Partygoer Fatally Shot in Croydon in 'Act of Petty Revenge'
A silent disco attendee was shot in the head in what prosecutors have described as an "act of petty revenge," a court has heard. The tragic incident unfolded in Croydon, south London, resulting in the death of 35-year-old Leroy Mitchell.
Details of the Fatal Shooting
Leroy Mitchell was fatally shot at close range with a 12-bore shotgun in the car park outside a silent disco party on Birdhurst Road in Croydon. The shooting occurred in the early hours of October 2, 2021, with Mr. Mitchell arriving at the venue around 4:30 am. Prosecutor Joel Smith KC told the Old Bailey jury that the murder appeared to stem from a trivial motive linked to a past altercation.
Two defendants, Alpacino Veii, 29, also known as Alpo, and Cimarron Dume-Gooden, 32, are now on trial for murder. Mr. Smith explained to jurors that the killing was an act of petty revenge following a fight between Mr. Mitchell and Veii at a nightclub approximately two years prior. The prosecutor suggested that the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns may have delayed the defendants from seeking revenge sooner.
Background of the 'Trivial Motive'
The alleged motive dates back to May 2019, when a confrontation took place at the Granaries nightclub in Croydon. During this incident, Mr. Mitchell reportedly struck Veii in the face, and another man was knocked over by a car. Veii allegedly became enraged when his friend was hit by a Volvo and attempted to strike the vehicle with a hammer.
Upon his arrest, Veii claimed to be the victim, stating he had been punched in the face. Jurors were informed that Mr. Mitchell later told a friend he had been in a fight and "knocked out Alpo." This seemingly minor dispute escalated tragically over time, leading to the fatal shooting.
Events Leading to the Shooting
In the hours before his death, Mr. Mitchell had visited his mother's house and returned to the Granaries nightclub before proceeding to the silent disco at 4:30 am. A silent disco, also known as a headphones party, is an event where participants use headphones to listen to music. Meanwhile, the alleged killers spent the evening in West Croydon's area known as The Strip and arrived at the Birdhurst Road venue in a BMW at 2:10 am.
At approximately 4:51 am, partygoers heard a loud bang from the car park, which some initially mistook for a firework. As people began to flee the scene, one individual stumbled over Mr. Mitchell's body on the ground and immediately called emergency services. Neighbors reported hearing the gunshot followed by a woman screaming and a man shouting, "Help me." Police arrived promptly, and Mr. Mitchell was pronounced dead at 5:26 am.
Investigation and Aftermath
A post-mortem examination confirmed that Mr. Mitchell died from a single gunshot wound to the head at close range with a 12-bore shotgun. Following the shooting, Veii and Dume-Gooden allegedly fled the scene in a BMW hatchback equipped with false registration plates. By October 6, the vehicle had been set on fire, along with the clothes the defendants were wearing and their Sim cards, in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.
The defendants then traveled to Somerset to "lay low for a few days" before returning to London, hoping they had evaded detection. Although the shooting itself was not captured on CCTV, Mr. Smith asserted that various strands of evidence, including traffic camera footage and mobile phone data, implicated Veii and Dume-Gooden in the crime.
Legal Proceedings and Denials
Veii, from Southwark, and Dume-Gooden, of Thornton Heath, south London, have both pleaded not guilty to murder. Additionally, Kwabena Ofori, 29, of South Norwood, and Issa Souleman, 29, of New Cross, along with Veii and Dume-Gooden, have denied charges of perverting the course of justice between October 1 and 14, 2021. The trial at the Old Bailey is ongoing as the court continues to examine the evidence surrounding this devastating case.
Family members have remembered Leroy Mitchell as a "beautiful soul," highlighting the profound loss felt by those who knew him. The case underscores the tragic consequences of unresolved conflicts and the severe impact of violent retaliation over seemingly minor disputes.
