Two Teenagers Sentenced for Murder in Enfield
Two teenage drill rappers have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old man in Enfield, north London. The incident followed a gang dispute conducted over social media platforms.
On 26 June last year, Emmanuel Popoola, aged 18, shot Keanu Harker three times in the head and chest. The shooting occurred after a pursuit involving a high-powered electric bike, which was ridden by Popoola's co-defendant, Tayvon Etefia, also 18.
Both Popoola and Etefia, residents of Enfield, were convicted of murder and possession of a self-loading pistol with intent to endanger life at the Old Bailey on Monday.
They received life sentences with a minimum term of 28 years before eligibility for parole.
Emmanuel Popoola and Tayvon Etefia (l-r) were both found guilty of Keanu Harker's murder
Background of the Incident and Gang Rivalry
The court heard that the killing was a consequence of a rivalry between two local gangs: the 3×3 gang and the Get Money Gang (GMG). Following the murder, members of the gangs boasted about the crime in drill rap videos, as presented to the jury.
Attempts to Evade Arrest
Following the shooting, both Popoola and Etefia attempted to escape to France via train. Popoola was apprehended by French police in Paris and subsequently extradited to the UK. Etefia was arrested on board the Eurostar train just two minutes before its scheduled departure from London.
Additional Convictions Related to the Case
In addition to the murder convictions, jurors found Eliezer Mbaki, 25, from Tottenham; Anais King, 19, from Enfield; and a 17-year-old youth (identity protected for legal reasons) guilty of perverting the course of justice.
Mbaki was involved in collecting the two defendants by car after the shooting, while King assisted Popoola in fleeing to Paris.
The sentencing for these additional defendants will take place at a later date.
Further Information
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