Michelle Sadio: Two jailed for life for drive-by shooting murder

Two men have received life sentences following the fatal shooting of a woman outside a wake in northwest London. Michelle Sadio, a 44-year-old mother of two, was attending a memorial at the River of Life Pentecostal Church in Willesden on 14 December 2024 when a car pulled up and four shots were fired at those gathered. Sadio was killed instantly, and another attendee was left paralyzed from the waist down.

At the Old Bailey, Perry Allen-Thomas, 27, who had a history of drug offenses and gang links, was sentenced to a minimum of 38 years in prison. His co-defendant, 20-year-old Amir Salem, received a 26-year term. Mrs Justice McGowan, in delivering the sentences, described the shooting as a “terrifying tragedy” that transformed what had been a “happy, family-orientated” event into a heartbreaking incident. She emphasized that the murder was both planned and deliberate.

In a powerful victim impact statement read during the trial, Michelle’s widower, Jean-Marie Sadio, reflected on her vital role within their family, saying she was “the pillar” and had “the biggest and loudest laugh.” He expressed his profound loss, stating, “I know that half of me has gone. I am broken and will never be the same man again.” He also shared how their children keep memories of their mother alive by asking for her perfume, and he addressed the defendants directly, urging them to seek change and repay society through transformation.

The attack occurred at a wake predominantly attended by the Ghanaian community to honor the late Dianne Boatong, who had passed away ten days prior. Tragically, the shooting not only claimed Michelle’s life but also injured two other men: Kenneth Amoah, a 39-year-old Transport for London contractor, who was left paralyzed, and Kadeem Francis, 32, who suffered a foot wound. The intended target was reportedly a rapper known as Trapstar Toxic, who was present at the event.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Salem was observed on CCTV buying petrol for the stolen vehicle used in the attack, which was later set on fire. Allen-Thomas had orchestrated the attack by recruiting younger gang members while avoiding being present during the shooting itself. The firearm involved, described as a “gang gun,” had been used in previous shootings. Although it remains unclear who fired the weapon, two other suspects have fled the country and are currently wanted. Two additional men accused of involvement were acquitted. Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke, who headed the investigation, acknowledged the ongoing pain inflicted by the murder and expressed hope that the sentencing would provide some relief to Michelle’s family, condemning the killing as a senseless act fueled by local gang conflicts

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