Two Men Found Guilty of Murder in Drive-By Shooting at London Church Wake
Two men have been convicted of murdering an innocent woman and injuring two other individuals in a drive-by shooting outside a wake at a church in London. The verdict was delivered at the Old Bailey following a trial that exposed the brutal details of the attack.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Michelle Sadio, a 44-year-old mother of two and legal administrator, was fatally shot outside the River of Life Pentecostal church in Willesden, north London, on December 14, 2024. She was among approximately 100 mourners, including children as young as five, attending a wake for 80-year-old Dianne Boatong. At around 9pm, as guests gathered on the pavement, a black Kia vehicle pulled up and multiple shots were fired into the crowd.
Sadio died at the scene from her injuries. Two other individuals were also shot: Kenneth Amoah, a Transport for London contractor, was hit in the back and left paralysed below the waist, while Kadeem Francis, who is self-employed, sustained a gunshot wound to the foot. The intended target of the attack was reportedly a rapper known as Trapstar Toxic, whose real name is Adetokunbo Ajibola.
Investigation and Trial Proceedings
Four individuals—Perry Allen-Thomas, Amir Salem, Shaquille Sutherland, and Tahjin Sommersall—were initially accused of murder and attempted murder in connection with the shootings. Sommersall faced an additional charge of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. All four defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During the trial, it was revealed that at least four shots were fired from the Kia, though the identity of the shooter remains unknown. Prosecutors alleged that Allen-Thomas and Sutherland orchestrated the attack by enlisting others, despite not being present during the shooting. Salem was accused of assisting in disposing of the vehicle and acting as a communicator between the car's occupants and the alleged masterminds on the night of the incident.
The prosecution further claimed that Sommersall was in the vehicle with two other individuals, Ibrah Sayed and Hassan Mohammed, both of whom are believed to have fled the country, with their current whereabouts unknown to authorities.
Verdict and Aftermath
On Tuesday, after careful deliberation, the jury found Perry Allen-Thomas and Amir Salem guilty of murder and two counts of attempted murder. However, Shaquille Sutherland, a rapper known as Lil Shak, and Tahjin Sommersall were acquitted of all charges.
The vehicle used in the attack had been stolen and was equipped with false number plates. Following the shooting, it was doused in petrol, supplied by Salem, and set ablaze to destroy evidence. The firearm involved was identified as a "gang gun" that had been used in two prior incidents in the preceding months, including one outside a pizzeria where 11 rounds were fired and one person was injured in the ankle. There is no indication that the defendants in this case were connected to those earlier events.
During the trial, Sommersall testified that he was not in the Kia at the time of the shooting and instead claimed to have been on a council estate in Wembley. The other defendants maintained their innocence, denying any involvement or knowledge of the attack.
Mrs Justice McGowan has remanded Allen-Thomas and Salem into custody, with sentencing scheduled for a later date. The case highlights ongoing concerns about gang violence and public safety in urban areas.
