Two teenage drill rappers have been handed life sentences for the murder of an 18-year-old man in Enfield, north London, following a gang-related dispute that escalated from social media. Emmanuel Popoola and Tayvon Etefia, both 18, were found guilty of murder and possessing a self-loading pistol with intent to endanger life at the Old Bailey.
The court heard that Popoola shot Keanu Harker in the head and chest after pursuing him on the back of a high-powered electric bike, ridden by Etefia, on 26 June last year. The fatal incident was a culmination of a rivalry between two local gangs, the 3x3 gang and the Get Money Gang (GMG), based in Enfield. Jurors were also told that following the murder, gang members allegedly boasted about the killing in drill rap videos.
Both Popoola and Etefia, also from Enfield, attempted to escape the country by train. Popoola was apprehended by French police in Paris and subsequently extradited back to the UK. Etefia was arrested aboard a Eurostar train just minutes before its scheduled departure from London, preventing his escape to France.
At their sentencing, both defendants received life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years. This significant sentence underscores the severity of the crime and the judicial response to gang-related violence, particularly involving firearms and young offenders.
In connection with the case, three other individuals were also convicted of perverting the course of justice. Eliezer Mbaki, 25, from Tottenham, Anais King, 19, from Enfield, and a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, played roles in assisting the main defendants. Mbaki picked up Popoola and Etefia in a car after the shooting, while King helped Popoola in his attempt to flee to Paris. These individuals are awaiting their sentencing at a later date.