Two men found guilty of Agnes Sina-Inakoju shooting murder
Agnes Sina-Inakoju, 16, died after being shot in the neck at a takeaway in Hoxton. Photo: Metropolitan police
Two men involved in the murder of a 16-year-old girl in Hackney have today been convicted of her killing. Two other juveniles have been convicted of firearms offences and assisting those involved in the murder.
Agnes Sina-Inakoju died two days after the shooting on 14 April last year at Hoxton Chicken and Pizza in Hoxton Street. She was fatally shot through the neck as she visited a takeaway with friends.
Leon Dunkley, 22, of Kenninghall Road, E5 and Mohammed Smoured, 21, of Hopwood Walk, E8 were both found guilty at the Old Bailey of her murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. They will be sentenced at 2pm today.
Dwayne McIntosh Wisdom, 17, of Graham Road E8 was found guilty of assisting an offender, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of an imitation firearm.
He will be sentenced at later date to be confirmed.
A 16-year-old male youth from Hackney was found guilty one count of possession of a prohibited firearm.
He will be sentenced on at a later date to be confirmed.
Detective Chief Inspector John Crossley, from Trident, said: “Agnes was a totally innocent victim of gun crime who had her whole future ahead of her.
“On 14 April last year two members of a gang cycled up to a chicken shop window in broad daylight and shot a submachine gun indiscriminately through the window and the bullet struck Agnes in the neck at point blank range.
“Despite medical treatment and assistance at the scene from police and an off-duty paramedic and doctor she died a short time later. In dealing with the individuals involved we have also recovered a number of weapons including the murder weapon and convicted two younger members of the gang who were assisting the gunman by holding and moving the weapons.
“We are pleased with today’s verdict but these convictions can only be achieved by the courage of members of the public coming forward to give vital evidence in this case. I would like to thank them for the courage that they have shown.
“I would finally like to pay tribute to Agnes’ family for the dignity they have shown and our thoughts are with them during this time.”
Hackney’s Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Bending, said: “Those convicted today have committed a crime that is as reckless as it is cowardly. They are each condemned by every right-minded person for playing their part in taking the innocent life of Agnes , a young lady with her whole life ahead of her. I know that all our thoughts are with Agnes’s family, as those responsible are sent to prison to face the consequences of their actions.”
At around 7.15pm on 14 April 2010 Agnes was inside the fast food outlet with friends. Two men riding bicycles – Dunkley and Smoured – came along Falkirk Street towards the junction with Hoxton Street. As they got close to the takeaway, Dunkley pulled out a sub-machine gun and fired.
Leon Dunkley, 22. Photo: Metropolitan police
The shot struck Agnes, who was sat at the window of the shop, in the right side of her neck and she collapsed on the floor. As she fell both men turned their bikes around and rode back in the direction from which they had come.
Agnes’ friends and several members of the public – including a doctor and off-duty paramedic – rushed to help her. London Ambulance Service arrived moments later and took her to the Royal London Hospital after emergency surgery at the scene.
Despite their efforts and further surgery she died at 5.30am on 16 April.
Agnes lived at home on the De Beauvoir Estate with her mother and siblings. It is believed she was an innocent victim of a feud between the London Fields and Hoxton Boys gangs who had been involved in tit-for-tat incidents in the days leading up to her shooting. It is believed that she was killed as Dunkley and Smoured targeted two young men who were also inside the takeaway at the time.
An associate of Dunkley and Smoured saw them cycle onto the Morland Estate (London Fields) at about 7.30pm – 15 minutes after the shooting – wearing clothes matching the description of those worn by the suspects. Dunkley then sold his jacket to an associate.
Dunkley was arrested on 17 April 2010 and charged two days later. The black jacket he wore during the incident was recovered and tested and found to have a high level of gunshot residue on it.
On 21 April 2010, Smoured was also arrested. He was positively identified as having been with Dunkley when he fired the shot and charged on 23 April 2010.
Mohammed Smoured, 21. Photo: Metropolitan police
McIntosh Wisdom (16 at the time of the incident) was also arrested on 17 April 2010 on suspicion of murder and released on police bail pending further enquiries.
On 21 April 2010 police officers on patrol spotted him in the London Fields area. He was carrying a rucksack and made off, throwing the bag into a garden in Blanchard Way, Hackney. It was recovered and found to contain a sub-machine gun – the weapon used to kill Agnes – along with a pistol and a quantity of ammunition and shotgun cartridges.
The youth was arrested the following day at his home address, where he was found hiding in a wardrobe under a pile of clothing, on suspicion of possessing a firearm. He was subsequently charged.
Police investigations led to the discovery of guns used by the London Fields gang which were being stored at the home of a 16-year-old youth. He was arrested and later charged on 20 September 2010.
Further enquiries during the course of the investigation also led to the recovery of a loaded Mac-10 machine gun.
In a statement, Agnes’ family said: “Agnes Sina-Inakoju was a very beautiful, friendly, brilliant and intelligent young girl with lots of potential.
“She was full of ambition and intended to go to Oxford University to continue her study after school.
“Back in March 2009 Agnes represented her school, Haggerston School, in the Hackney regional finals of ‘John Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge’, where she won second place for her presentation about racism that she presented in front of lots of people at the Hackney Empire.
“Agnes had plenty of time for her friends and family. She enjoyed being with her friends. She was a very popular girl and fun to be with. She was lively and always had a smile.
“Agnes’ family have lost a sister, friend and daughter. We still can’t believe that she has been taken away from us at such a young age. We are still coming to terms with her loss and the fact that we will never see her again. She remains in our hearts, where she will remain forever. We will always remember the beautiful times that we shared together as a family”.