Two individuals have been convicted of the murder of an innocent woman in a drive-by shooting outside a funeral gathering. 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. During the trial at the Old Bailey, it was revealed that a black Kia stopped outside the church, and a man in the vehicle opened fire on a group of mourners gathered for a wake.
Michelle Sadio, who worked as a legal administrator, was fatally wounded at the scene of the shooting. She was among approximately 100 mourners, including young children, who had gathered to mourn the passing of 80-year-old Dianne Boatong. Kenneth Amoah, 39, a Transport for London contractor, sustained a gunshot wound to his back, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down, while Kadeem Francis, 32, was shot in the foot.
Prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC described the attack as “appalling and outrageous,” emphasizing that innocent members of the public were targeted outside a church with no indication that any of the victims were the intended targets. The intended target was identified as Trapstar Toxic, real name Adetokunbo Ajibola, a 33-year-old rapper 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, and Tahjin Sommersall were acquitted. The prosecution alleged that Sommersall was in the Kia with two others who fled the country after the incident. It was reported that at least four shots were fired from the stolen Kia with false number plates.
Allen-Thomas, from Wembley, was accused of orchestrating the shooting but ensured he was not present during the attack. The car used in the shooting was stolen and driven with false plates. Salem, also from Wembley, was involved in purchasing some of the petrol used to set the car on fire after the shooting.
During the night of the incident, Salem was in communication with the occupants of the Kia and relayed information to Allen-Thomas. The firearm used had been discharged on two previous occasions and was identified as a “gang gun.” In a prior incident, shots were fired outside a pizzeria, injuring one person, but there was no indication of the defendants’ involvement.
During his trial, Sommersall denied being in the Kia, stating he was on a council estate in Wembley at the time of the shooting. The convicted defendants were remanded into custody by Mrs. Justice McGowan following the verdicts, awaiting sentencing at a later date.
