Mother Fatally Shot in Drive-By Attack Outside London Church
A tragic incident unfolded outside a northwest London church when an innocent mother was gunned down during a drive-by shooting while attending a memorial service, the Old Bailey has heard. The shocking attack, which occurred on December 14, 2024, claimed the life of 44-year-old Michelle Sadio and left two other men with serious injuries.
Fatal Shooting During Memorial Gathering
The court heard that Michelle Sadio was standing outside the River of Life Church on Gifford Road in Harlesden when multiple shots were fired from a stolen black Kia vehicle. The gathering was a memorial service for an 80-year-old woman, attended predominantly by members of London's Ghanaian community. Prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC described how guests, including children as young as five, were standing on the pavement when the attack occurred shortly after 9pm.
"A witness says he noticed a car coming towards the group on the pavement," Mr Aylett told the court. "He saw a passenger window open and then a hand extend through the open window. In the hand he saw the gun. He saw sparks coming from the gun. At least four shots were fired."
Intended Target May Have Been Local Rapper
The prosecution suggested that the intended target may have been Willesden rapper known as Trapstar Toxic, who was present in the crowd outside the church. The court heard that the same firearm used in this attack had been deployed in two previous shooting incidents in the same area around Church Road in Willesden. This connection has raised serious questions about possible gang-related violence in the northwest London community.
Michelle Sadio, a married mother of two children aged 10 and 8 who worked as a legal administrator, was struck by a single bullet that entered her lower back. The projectile passed horizontally through her left kidney and right lung before lodging in her right shoulder. Despite immediate medical attention from doctors and paramedics at the scene, she was pronounced dead shortly after the shooting.
Additional Victims Suffer Life-Changing Injuries
The drive-by shooting left two other men with severe, life-altering injuries:
- Kenneth Amoah, 39, was shot in the back and suffered spinal damage that has left him wheelchair-bound with no feeling below his waist
- Kadeem Francis, 30, was shot in the foot during the chaotic incident
Mr Aylett recounted Mr Amoah's experience: "He had a drink in his hand and his hand began to shake. The pain in his back got worse, the drink fell to the ground and then he passed out." The victim initially believed the gunshots were fireworks before realizing the severity of the situation.
Alleged Perpetrators and Vehicle Disposal
Four individuals currently face charges in connection with the shooting:
- Tahjin Sommersal, 19, of Feltham, denies murder, two counts of attempted murder, and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life
- Perry Allen-Thomas, 27, of Edgware, denies murder and two counts of attempted murder
- Shaquille Sutherland, 26, of Wembley, denies murder and two counts of attempted murder
- Amir Salem, 19, of Wembley, denies murder and two counts of attempted murder
The prosecution alleges that Sommersal was in the stolen black Kia alongside Ibrah Sayed, 21, and Hassan Mohammed, 20, both of whom have reportedly fled to Dubai. Allen-Thomas and Sutherland are accused of being the "older men" who allegedly orchestrated the attack, while Salem is said to have been involved in purchasing petrol to burn the vehicle after the shooting.
Forensic Evidence and Criminal Patterns
The court heard compelling forensic details about the attack's execution and aftermath. The stolen vehicle was discovered to have been driving on false plates before being doused in petrol and set alight following the shooting. Mr Aylett emphasized the calculated nature of the crime, stating: "The use of the same gun on three separate occasions, the use of the stolen car on false plates and the setting alight bears all the hallmarks of serious criminal activity."
This tragic incident has highlighted ongoing concerns about violent crime in London communities, particularly the vulnerability of innocent bystanders caught in targeted attacks. The trial continues as the court examines the evidence surrounding this devastating loss of life and the serious injuries inflicted upon multiple victims during what should have been a peaceful memorial gathering.
