Two men who murdered an innocent woman in a drive-by shooting at a wake have been jailed for life. Mother-of-two Michelle Sadio, 44, was gunned down outside the River of Life Pentecostal Church in Willesden, north London, on December 14, 2024.
Perry Allen-Thomas, 27, and Amir Salem, 20, were found guilty of murder and two counts of attempted murder following a trial at the Old Bailey. Judge Mrs Justice McGowan sentenced both to life imprisonment, with minimum terms of 38 and 26 years respectively.
The court heard that Ms Sadio was among about 100 mourners, including young children, attending a wake for Dianne Boatong, 80. Around 9pm, a black Kia pulled up and shots were fired into the crowd. The intended target was believed to be a rapper known as Trapstar Toxic, who was also present.
Two other people were injured: Kenneth Amoah, 39, who was paralysed below the waist, and Kadeem Francis, 32, who was shot in the foot. The prosecution alleged that two occupants of the Kia fled the country after the incident.
In a victim impact statement, widower Jean-Marie Sadio said he had forgiven the killers. 'I have forgiven them because the future has to be my focus for the sake of my children,' he told the court. 'Do not burden yourself with guilt, but an unquenchable and determined desire to change.'
