A teenager who was shot dead while sitting on a wall in east London was an 'easy target', a court has heard. Abdul Mayanja, 19, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest in Stratford on 25 August 2017.
The Old Bailey was told that two men approached Mayanja in Well Street, asked him 'where you from?', and without waiting for an answer, shot him before driving off in a dark vehicle. Prosecutor Anthony Orchard QC said Mayanja was sitting on a wall with a female friend at the time.
A grey Nissan Qashqai, allegedly used in the shooting, was found burning in the early hours of the following morning in Canning Town. Four men are on trial for murder: Alex Simos, 20, from Manor Park; his cousin Marvin Simos, 22, from north Woolwich; Sean Obazee, 25, from Plaistow; and Braeden Henry, 24, from Silvertown.
Two others, Kieron Aransibia, 24, from Beckton, and Jade Thrower, 23, from Manor Park, deny perverting the course of justice. The prosecution alleges they purchased petrol to burn the car and destroy evidence.
Mr Orchard said each of the four defendants played a key role in the shooting, either as gunman, back-up or driver. 'It appears Abdul Mayanja was an easy target. He was shot and left to die,' he added.
