Six killers who executed an aspiring music producer in a doorstep shooting in west London smiled and laughed as they were jailed for life.
Janayo Lucima, 21, was gunned down on April Fool’s Day last year after being lured outside by 22-year-old Khuder Al Kurdi.
Mohamed Mansaray, 18, was laying in wait outside the property, in Barons Court, west London, and opened fire when Mr Lucima stepped outside.
Muktar Said, 23, Issa Siteri, and Yusuf Abdi, both 19, and a 17-year-old boy were all also lying in wait, part of a mob armed with knives if needed.
At the Old Bailey on Friday, Judge Simon Mayo KC sentenced all six killers to life in prison.
Al Kurdim who supplied the firearm for the shooting, was ordered to spend at least 33 years behind bars, Mansaray received a 27-year minimum term, and
Said was locked up for at least 29 years, Siteri received a 28-and-a-half year minimum term, Abdi was ordered to serve at least 28 years, and the 17-year-old received a minimum term of 22 years.
The killers were seen smiling and laughing as they were led away to the cells, prompting the judge to apologise to the victim’s family for their “bravado”.
Mr Lucima had himself been released from jail a year before his murder after being convicted of perverting the course of justice in relation to the death of 53-year-old jazz musician William Algar in 2021.
Then aged 19, he had admitted running a drugs line from the victim’s property and buying bleach, washing-up liquid, clothes and black bin bags after Mr Algar’s death.
His family said he had been supported in turning his life around, but prosecutors said the fatal shooting was sparked by a drugs feud.
At the start of the sentencing hearing, Mr Lucima’s mother Winifred Ayo demanded answers from the killers: “You chose the time, the date, to execute your plans. Everyone had a role. You prepared for the moment.
“When I watch the CCTV a few minutes before you executed my son, it was like something from a movie.
“Mansaray, you even practiced your target while the others lay in wait. When the time came, you did not hesitate.”
She paid tribute to her son, who played the violin and piano, and had dreams of a career as a music producer.
“He was heartlessly taken away from us by self-centred young men steeped in a sub-culture of violence with complete disregard for human life”, she said.
“We know Janayo was a far better person than all of you, his killers. No amount of sentence will bring our son back.
“I hope one of you will find it in your hearts to give me the reason why you all went to such lengths to kill my son. I know I will never be at peace and will always keep searching for the real reason.”
Al Kurdi cowardly refused to attend the start of the sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey, and was slammed by the judge for a lack of “courage and respect”.
Mansaray, of Neasden, north-west London, Al Kurdi, of Barons Court, Said, of Hammersmith, Siteri, of Kensington, Abdi, of Westminster, and the 17-year-old boy were all convicted at trial of murder.
Scotland Yard said the killers fled after the shooting, but were eventually rounded up from Scotland, Morocco and Spain.
“We worked tirelessly over many months, painstakingly gathering evidence and tracking down the six people involved, including the ones who fled the country to try and evade justice”, said Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, senior investigating officer from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.
“We still don’t know the exact reasons as to why Janayo was killed that night, but this was not a random killing. The defendants planned their actions meticulously and came with murderous intent, armed not only with a handgun but also with knives.
“They gave Janayo no chance to defend himself, instead executing him ruthlessly as he stepped out of the front door.
“Each of the defendants had their role to play and all of them were participants in the murder of Janayo. I want this to be a reminder that with joint participation comes joint responsibility.”
