Perry Allen-Thomas, Amir Salem Convicted in December 2024 Harlesden Church Drive-By Murder
Perry Allen-Thomas and Amir Salem have been convicted of the murder of Michelle Sadio and the attempted murder of two men following a drive-by shooting near a church in Harlesden, north-west London. The Old Bailey jury delivered its verdict, with sentencing scheduled for June.
The incident occurred in December 2024 as approximately 100 mourners were attending a wake for Dianne Boatong, 80, at the River of Life Pentecostal Church. At around 21:00 GMT, a black Kia pulled up to guests gathered outside, and at least four shots were fired into the crowd. Michelle Sadio, a 44-year-old legal administrator and mother of two, was caught in the crossfire and died at the scene.
Two other men sustained injuries. Kenneth Amoah, 39, a Transport for London contractor, was shot in the back and left paralysed below the waist. Kadeem Francis, 32, was shot in the foot. Children as young as five were present during the shooting.
The court heard that Ms. Sadio was not the intended target. The alleged target was identified as rapper Adetokunbo Ajibola, 33, known as Trapstar Toxic, who was also at the event. Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke of the Metropolitan Police described the attack as “a well-orchestrated operation that had been planned for several months.”
Two other individuals, rapper Shaquille Sutherland, 26, and Tahjin Sommersall, 19, were cleared of any wrongdoing in connection with the shooting.
