Two individuals have been convicted of killing an “innocent” woman in a drive-by shooting outside a funeral reception.
Michelle Sadio, a 44-year-old mother of two, was fatally shot outside the River of Life Pentecostal Church in Willesden, north London, on December 14, 2024. The incident occurred when a black Kia pulled up outside the church, and a man inside the vehicle opened fire on a group of mourners gathered for the wake, as revealed in court during the trial.
Ms. Sadio, employed as a legal administrator, was struck and tragically lost her life at the scene. She was among approximately 100 mourners, which included young children, attending the reception for 80-year-old Dianne Boatong. Kenneth Amoah, a 39-year-old Transport for London contractor, sustained a gunshot wound to the back that left him paralyzed below the waist, while 32-year-old Kadeem Francis was shot in the foot.
Prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC informed jurors that the attack was both appalling and outrageous, targeting innocent members of the public gathered outside a church. He emphasized that there was no evidence to suggest that any of the victims were the intended targets.
The intended target was identified as rapper Trapstar Toxic, also known as Adetokunbo Ajibola, who was present at the event.
Following the trial, Perry Allen-Thomas, 27, and Amir Salem, 20, were convicted of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Rapper Shaquille Sutherland, known as Lil Shak, 26, from Wembley, and Tahjin Sommersall, 19, from Feltham, west London, were acquitted.
The prosecution alleged that Mr. Sommersall had been in the Kia with two other individuals who fled the country after the incident. Although at least four shots were fired, it remained unclear who among the occupants of the car had pulled the trigger.
Allen-Thomas, a Wembley resident, was accused of orchestrating the shooting but ensured he was elsewhere during the attack. The stolen Kia used in the shooting had false number plates.
After the shooting, the car was doused in petrol and set on fire. Salem, also from Wembley, was reported to have purchased some of the petrol used to ignite the fire, according to testimonies.
On the night of the shooting, Salem was in communication with the occupants of the Kia and relayed information to Allen-Thomas. The firearm used had been discharged twice in prior months and was described as a “gang gun.”
In a previous incident, shots were fired from a car at a group of men outside a pizzeria, resulting in 11 rounds being discharged and one person being injured in the ankle. However, there was no indication of the defendants’ involvement in that incident.
During his trial, Mr. Sommersall denied being in the Kia and claimed he was on a council estate in Wembley at the time of the shooting. The other defendants also denied any connection to or knowledge of the incident.
Following the verdicts, Mrs. Justice McGowan remanded the two convicted individuals into custody pending sentencing at a later date.