Mum killed in drive-by capturing at OAP’s wake the place rapper was ‘meant goal’
Perry Allen-Thomas and Amir Salem were jailed for life after being found guilty of the murder of Michelle Sadio, 44, a mother-of-two who was shot dead outside a wake at a north London church
Michelle Sadio was killed in a drive-by shooting
The killers of mother-of-two Michelle Sadio, who was shot dead at a wake, have been sentenced to life imprisonment at the Old Bailey. Perry Allen-Thomas received a minimum term of 38 years and Amir Salem was jailed for 26 years.
Michelle Sadio, a 44-year-old mother of two, was fatally shot outside a wake at the River of Life Pentecostal Church in Willesden, north London, on December 14 2024. Following a trial at the Old Bailey, Allen-Thomas, 27, and Salem, 20, were convicted of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Ms Sadio was among approximately 100 mourners, including children as young as five, attending the wake for Dianne Boatong, 80. At around 9pm, guests were outside on the pavement when a black Kia pulled up and shots were fired into the crowd. Ms Sadio, a legal administrator, was struck and died at the scene.
Transport for London contractor Kenneth Amoah, 39, was hit in the back and paralysed below the waist, while self-employed Kadeem Francis, 32, was shot in the foot.
The intended target was believed to be a rapper known as Trapstar Toxic, real name Adetokunbo Ajibola, 33, who was present at the event. Allen-Thomas, from Wembley, north London, was said to have assisted in organising the shooting but made sure he was elsewhere at the time.
The Kia used in the attack had been stolen and was being driven with false number plates. Salem, from Wembley, had purchased some of the petrol used to torch the vehicle after the shooting, the jury heard.
On the night of the shooting, Salem was in touch with the occupants of the Kia and relayed information back to Allen-Thomas, the court was informed.
At least four shots were discharged, although it remained unclear who in the Kia was responsible for pulling the trigger. The prosecution claimed that two of the men in the Kia had absconded abroad following the incident.
The firearm used in the shooting had been deployed twice previously in the last few months, and was referred to as a “gang gun”.
In one of the prior incidents, the occupant of a car fired at a group of males outside a pizzeria, releasing 11 rounds and striking one individual in the ankle.
There was no implication that the defendants were involved. Throughout the trial, the defendants refuted any involvement or knowledge of the incident.
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