A woman was killed and two men injured in a gang shooting after a gunman fired shots into a crowd containing young children outside a church, a court has been told. Michelle Sadio, 44, died in the drive-by shooting outside the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church on Gifford Road in Harlesden at about 9.30pm on December 14 last year.
Tahjin Sommersal, 18, of Lafone Avenue in Feltham, appeared in a grey prison tracksuit at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, January 15, after he was charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder, and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
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Prosecutor Benjamin Holt said a wake was taking place at the church in memory of Dianne Boatong, who had died at the age of 80, when a car appeared and shots were fired at people waiting outside – including mum-of-two Michelle and two men in their 30s.
“At about ten past nine, a dark-coloured Kia drove around the area and local streets. Stopping in Gifford Road, a number of shots were fired into a crowd before driving away,” alleged Mr Holt.
“Michelle Sadio was killed. Kenneth Amoa received a bullet wound to the back. Kadeem Francis was shot in the foot. There were children as young as five years old in the crowd.
“This came as a result of an ongoing dispute between HA9 and Church Road Soldiers.”
Pastor Lawrence Larbie, from the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church said people ran inside saying ‘there’s been a shooting, there’s been a shooting’
(Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
Mr Sommersal was arrested at his home address on January 9. The defendant first appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 13, but the Metropolitan Police said they chose not to announce the charging decision due to ‘exceptional reasons’.
A further five people were arrested at addresses in Brent and Hounslow in connection with the fatal shooting, the Met added. They are all men – two aged 18 and the others aged 21, 24 and 33 – and remain in custody.
Judge Judy Khan KC refused bail and fixed Mr Sommersal’s next hearing for April 2. A provisional six-week trial date is set for October 13 this year.
“You will appear before this court on April 2 this year. In the meantime, I will remand you into custody,” the judge said. Asked if he understood, Mr Sommersal said: “Yeah.”
‘I am in shock’
Police forensic officers at the scene on Gifford Road after Michelle Sadio was killed
(Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
Tributes poured in for mum-of-two Michelle, from Walthamstow, after her tragic death. Her devastated husband Jean-Marie told of his shock of losing his wife, reports The Sun.
The commercial disputes expert said: “I am in shock. How could this have happened? No one has any respect for life anymore. I had to tell my children that this tragedy has taken their mother away.”
A friend also said: “Michelle was a light in all of our lives. She adored her children and worked hard to give them a happy life. She didn’t deserve this. No one does. She was a brilliant mum.”
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