Trial Opens for Four Men in Fatal Drive-By Shooting of Mother Outside London Church
LONDON – A murder trial opened this week at the Old Bailey, centering on a drive-by shooting that claimed the life of Michelle Sadio, a 32-year-old legal administrator and mother of two, as she stood outside a church in Harlesden, northwest London, in December 2024.
Prosecutors allege that the attack, which also left one man paralyzed and another wounded, was a case of mistaken identity, with the intended target believed to be a local rapper. The incident occurred outside the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church, where Sadio was attending the wake of an elderly parishioner.
Four defendants now face charges of murder and two counts of attempted murder: Tahjin Sommersall, 19; Perry Allen-Thomas, 27; Shaquille Sutherland, 26; and Amir Salem, 19. All have entered not guilty pleas.
In opening statements, prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC outlined a stark division of roles. He claimed that while Sommersall was allegedly in the vehicle from which the shots were fired, Allen-Thomas and Sutherland are accused of orchestrating the attack from a distance. Salem is alleged to have assisted afterwards by purchasing petrol used to burn the getaway car. The court heard that two other suspects allegedly involved in the shooting itself fled the UK and remain at large.
"This was a planned, reckless act of violence that unfolded in a place of community and mourning, with tragic consequences," Aylett told the jury. "Michelle Sadio was an innocent bystander, caught in the crossfire of a feud she had no part in."
The case has cast a renewed spotlight on gang-related violence in the capital and the collateral damage inflicted on communities. Harlesden residents have described a lingering sense of trauma following the shooting, which disrupted a solemn gathering.
Community Reaction:
"Michelle was the heart of our family. She went to pay her respects and never came home. This trial is about accountability, but it won't bring back our daughter," said Robert Clarke, a family friend speaking on behalf of the Sadio family.
"It's a horrific reminder of how normalized this violence has become. Innocent people are dying while feuds play out on our streets. When will it end?" said Sarah Chen, a local councilor and community advocate.
"The system is a joke. They catch a few kids, but the ones who give the orders often slip through. Until we tackle the roots—poverty, lack of opportunity—this cycle just repeats," said Marcus Thorne, a former youth worker, his criticism pointed at broader societal failures.
"The details are chilling—a wake, a burned car, a paralyzed man. It reads like a script, but it's someone's shattered reality. My thoughts are with her children," added Dr. Anya Sharma, a criminologist following the case.
The trial is expected to last several weeks.