Violent Brit gang jailed for grim machete and gun homicide of teenager, 17

A gang of four men have been sentenced to a combined 79 years in prison for the brutal murder of 17-year-old Tyler McDermott and the attempted murder of another man in Tottenham in 2023. The quartet were handed their sentences at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 14 November, after a three-month trial.

Following the incident outside a music studio in Norman Road, Tottenham, an investigation involved meticulous analysis of hundreds of hours of CCTV footage to bring those responsible to justice. The court heard that Tyler and his friend left the music recording studio in the early hours of April 13, 2023 when he was shot and then stabbed by a group of men. The prosecution argued that tensions escalated after one of the defendants took offence to being filmed inside the studio.

This led to a confrontation outside the studio and resulted in Tyler’s murder. Emergency services rushed to the scene and transported Tyler to hospital, but tragically, he succumbed to his injuries and died the next day.

Detectives found that Tyrese Barnett shot Tyler and Leo Reid struck him with a large machete while he was already lying on the ground with gunshot wounds. During the trial, the jury was informed that Barnett had fired the gun a second time, aiming at Tyler’s mate. Luckily, he missed and no harm came to Tyler’s friend.

CCTV footage from inside and outside the recording studio on the night of the attack revealed the actions of others present at the scene. Rhys Antwi was caught on camera concealing a sword under his clothes in the studio just before the shooting. The same sword was later found at his Streatham residence, indicating he was armed and ready to use the weapon if necessary. Kalam Bagge, who had a knife, was also seen on CCTV in the studio just before the murder.

This suggested he knew Barnett had the gun and was aware violence was imminent. The jury concluded that Antwi and Bagge assisted and/or encouraged Barnett and Reid to carry out the fatal attack and they were both convicted of murder alongside Barnett and Reid.

Detective Inspector Devan Taylor, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “My thoughts remain with Tyler’s family who have remained dignified throughout this lengthy process. I commend them for the way they have carried themselves during these extremely difficult few months. I know they are absolutely devastated to have lost him in such tragic circumstances.

“Nothing will bring Tyler back but I hope the sentences handed down to these individuals will help provide his friends and family with some form of closure. No family should ever have to suffer the loss of a loved one.

“An innocent young life was lost in such a cold and senseless way. These young men had a choice that night and – for reasons only known to them – they chose to resort to violence.”

Sentencing details

• Tyrese Barnett, 20 (24.02.04) of Moyers Road, Newham, was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 30 years, for murder, attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
• Leo Reid, 21 (05.10.03) of Tulse Hill, Lambeth, was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 22 years, for murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
• Rhys Antwi, 20 (30.03.04) of Prentis Road, Lambeth, was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 14 years, for murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
• Kalam Bagge, 19 (04.03.05) of Nimrod Road, Lambeth, was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 13 years, for murder.

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