A gang member is facing life behind bars after today, Wednesday, 21 May, being found guilty of murdering a rival in an Edmonton car park.
Natneal Tesfay, 21 (30.9.92) of Park Road N11 was convicted following a retrial at Kingston Crown Court after 19-year-old Mohammed Hussein was blasted with a shotgun on Monday, 1 April 2013.
Mohammed Hussein
He was also found guilty of possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life and will be sentenced tomorrow morning.
Investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “This case is a terrifying example of how gangs ruin lives.
“Rivalry between two groups led to the death of Mohammed, gunned down in the street. Tesfay was prepared for violence that night and when he went to collect a shotgun there could be no doubt he was ready to use it as he saw fit.”
Tesfay
The court heard the victim was a member of an Enfield gang that had been violently feuding with a rival Edmonton group to which Tesfay belonged.
On 1 April 2013 tensions between the gangs were high. Members of the Edmonton group, including Tesfay, gathered in Bounces Road, N9. A dark Vauxhall Corsa drove past them and members of the group gave chase.
It’s not known who was inside the Corsa but it’s believed Tesfay and his associates assumed it was rival gang members who had ventured onto their territory.
Tesfay left and returned a few minutes later with a large carrier bag. It contained a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition.
He collected an associate before returning to Bounces Road and then a tower block close by called Walbrook House.
Ten minutes later, at around 21:35hrs, a dark BMW entered the car park of Walbrook House. The victim, who lived in Enfield, got out and walked to the kebab shop in Bounces Road while his associates waited inside the car. They also had a gun with them.
The victim was immediately followed by Tesfay and others. One of the unknown occupants of the BMW saw what was happening and, arming himself with a gun, got out of the vehicle.
What happened next was a scene described by the prosecution as “like something out of the old western movies”.
Tesfay was seen on CCTV to calmly put down his bag, take out the shotgun and fire at Mohammed, who was unarmed. He then chased after him and shot again.
The male from the BMW ran across and pointed his gun at Tesfay’s group but, for whatever reason, it did not fire and he got back into the vehicle which drove off.
Mohammed had been hit in the chest and collapsed in an alleyway between Bounces Road and the car park. He was found by a male member of the public who called an ambulance. A passing nurse also tried to help but Mohammed died at the scene.
Tesfay and his group fled on foot.
Police searches of the area later found a bag containing eight shotgun cartridges hidden under a bush.
A week later a man clearing rubbish in an alleyway behind houses in Richmond Crescent N9 found another bag which contained a sawn-off shotgun and ten cartridges.
Tesfay was arrested on Wednesday, 3 April 2013 and subsequently charged.
Enquiries continue to trace the occupants of the BMW – any witnesses or anyone who can help is asked to please contact the incident room on 020 8345 3865 or if you wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
+ Simeon Birde, 20, (25.5.93) of Zambezi Drive, Edmonton, Christopher Aluma, 19 (29.5.94) of Foxglove Close N9 and a 16-year-old boy from Edmonton were acquitted of murder during the first trial in October 2013.
View CCTV footage below
http://www.met.police.uk/pressbureau/Bur21/Mdr26-13HusseinCCTV.wmv
The CCTV footage shows three suspects walking from Walbrook House across a car park towards Bounces Road. Tesfay at the rear of the group, carrying a large bag, is seen producing a firearm and firing two shots. Mohammed, who was close to the Best Kebab in Bounces Road, was fatally wounded following the second shot.
