Two Men Sentenced to Life for Drive-By Wake Killing in North London

Two men have been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a mother of two in a drive-by shooting at a wake in north London last December. Perry Allen-Thomas, 27, and Amir Salem, 20, were convicted of murder and two counts of attempted murder following a trial at the Old Bailey.

Michelle Sadio, 44, was killed outside the River of Life Pentecostal Church in Willesden on December 14, 2024. She was among approximately 100 mourners, including young children, attending a wake for Dianne Boatong, 80. At around 9 p.m., a stolen black Kia with false license plates pulled up as guests stood outside, and shots were fired into the crowd.

Sadio, a legal administrator, died at the scene. Two other men were injured: Kenneth Amoah, 39, was paralyzed below the waist after being shot in the back, and Kadeem Francis, 32, was shot in the foot. The intended target of the attack was reportedly a rapper known as Trapstar Toxic, who was present at the event.

Judge Mrs Justice McGowan imposed the sentences on Wednesday, ordering Allen-Thomas to serve a minimum term of 38 years and Salem a minimum of 26 years. She described the wake as a happy, family-oriented occasion that turned into a terrifying...