Drive-By Shooting at Church Wake in North-West London

A drive-by shooting resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to two others outside a church in north-west London has been described in court as an "appalling and outrageous attack."

Michelle Sadio, 44, was fatally shot outside the River of Life Pentecostal Church near Church Road in Harlesden on 14 December 2024.

The mother of two had been attending a wake for 80-year-old Dianne Boatong, who had passed away nine days earlier. Members of the local Ghanaian community were gathered outside the church at the time.

Trial of Four Men Charged with Murder and Attempted Murder

Perry Allen-Thomas, 27, Shaquille Sutherland, 26, Amir Salem, 19, and Tahjin Sommersall, 19, are currently on trial at the Old Bailey, charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder. All four defendants deny the charges.

The court heard that at approximately 21:00 GMT, guests, including children as young as five, were standing on the pavement when a black Kia vehicle pulled up and shots were fired into the crowd before the car drove away.

Sommersall, from Feltham, west London, is alleged to have been in the car with two other men who fled the country after the incident and remain at large, jurors were told.

At least four shots were fired during the attack, and it remains unknown who specifically pulled the trigger.

Victims and Injuries

Michelle Sadio, a legal administrator, was pronounced dead at the scene after sustaining gunshot wounds to her back, lung, and right shoulder.

Kenneth Amoah, 39, a contractor for Transport for London, suffered a gunshot wound to his back and has been left paralysed below the waist. Another victim, Kadeem Francis, 32, was shot in the foot.

Prosecution Statement on the Attack

Opening the prosecution case, Crispin Aylett KC stated:

"This attack was clearly as appalling as it was outrageous: innocent members of the public were gunned down as they were standing outside a church."

He added that there was:

"nothing to suggest that any of the actual victims could have been the intended target."

Possible Intended Target and Background of the Attack

The court heard that the intended target may have been a rapper from Willesden. The gun used in the attack had reportedly been involved in two separate shootings in the same area within the previous few months.

It is alleged that the three younger men accused of carrying out the drive-by shooting were directed by Sutherland and Allen-Thomas, both from Wembley, north-west London, who were not present at the scene.

Mr. Aylett explained:

"In short, the prosecution allege that Sutherland and Allen-Thomas got the three younger men to do their dirty work for them."

Details of the Vehicle and Aftermath

Jurors were informed that the Kia used in the attack was stolen and driven with false number plates before being doused in petrol and set on fire.

The prosecution stated that Salem, from the Chalkhill Estate, purchased some of the petrol used to ignite the car and that he "must either have wanted or else been willing to be a part of this wickedness."

Sommersall also faces a charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

He denies being in the Kia at the time of the shooting, while the other defendants deny any involvement or knowledge of the attack.

Additional Information

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