Two men guilty of murdering mother after wake

Two men have been found guilty of a drive-by shooting in which a mother-of-two was murdered outside a church after a wake in northwest London.

Michelle Sadio, 44, died after shots were fired at mourners in Willesden on 14 December 2024. Two men were also injured, one was paralysed below the waist.

A jury at the Old Bailey found Perry Allen-Thomas, 27, and Amir Salem, 20, both from Wembley, guilty of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

The court heard that a black Kia pulled up at the River of Life Pentecostal Church and shots were fired into the crowd standing on the pavement, which included children as young as five.

The intended target was said to have been a rapper called Trapstar Toxic, real name Adetokunbo Ajibola, 33, who was at the event.

Ms Sadio, a legal administrator, died at the scene while Kenneth Amoah, 39, was hit in the back and paralysed below the waist. Kadeem Francis, 32, was shot in the foot.

The jury was told at least four shots were fired, although it was not known who pulled the trigger.

Two other defendants, rapper Shaquille Sutherland, known as Lil Shak, 26, from Wembley, and Tahjin Sommersall, 19, from Feltham, west London, were cleared of wrongdoing.

The prosecution alleged Mr Sommersall had been in the Kia with two other men, who fled the country after the incident.

But giving evidence during the trial, he said he was in Wembley when the shooting happened.

He, along with Sutherland, both denied involvement or knowledge of the shooting.

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The court heard the Kia used in the attack had been stolen and displayed false number plates.

Salem was spotted on CCTV buying petrol, which the prosecution said was used to set the vehicle alight.

Salem was also in contact with people in the Kia and had reported back to Allen-Thomas on the night of the shooting, jurors were told.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke, from Scotland Yard, said their thoughts remain with Michelle's loved ones.

"They have been remarkably strong and supportive during our investigation and I hope today's result offers them a measure of comfort.

"We hope this investigation demonstrates the Met's commitment to pursuing high‑harm offenders and ensuring that those who commit acts of brazen violence are held to account," he said in a statement.

The Old Bailey heard the weapon had been used twice before, including outside a pizzeria where a person was shot in the ankle. There was no suggestion that the defendants were involved.

Both Allen-Thomas and Salem were remanded into custody ahead of their sentencing on 19 June.

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