A reward of up to £20,000 is being offered for information about who shot a prominent black rights campaigner as a charity tries to smash a “wall of silence” that has frustrated investigators for the past year.
Crimestoppers will pay the money to anyone who anonymously shares information leading to the conviction of those responsible for Sasha Johnson’s shooting.
“Sasha is loved by her family and friends and is an active champion for people’s human rights,” said Crimestoppers’ London regional manager, Alexa Loukas.
“What’s happened to her is absolutely horrific. Her life will never be the same again. We know that many people who were there on the night are her friends and supporters. And yet, there remains a wall of silence.
“Before this violent attack, Sasha was a powerful voice who challenged injustice. By using your voice, you can help find justice for Sasha.”
Johnson was shot in the head at close range while at a silent disco in the garden of a house in Peckham, in south London, at about 3am on 23 May last year.
The mother-of-two, who is a founding member of the Taking The Initiative party and a prominent figure in the Black Lives Matter movement, survived her “catastrophic” head injuries, but now struggles to say more than a few words and requires constant medical care. She often suffers terrible pain and has limited mobility, according to Crimestoppers, which says her family are living with “daily heartbreak”.
A criminal case against four men accused of Johnson’s shooting collapsed in February.
Loukas stressed that Crimestoppers is independent of police, saying it never asks for or records personal details, nor does it trace calls, and its website uses encryption so it cannot see computer IP addresses.
DCI Nigel Penney, who leads the investigation for Scotland Yard, described Johnson as a “young, healthy woman with children who are clearly devoted to her”.
He said: “Despite the most extensive police investigation, those who inflicted these grievous injuries remain free and unpunished and that is just not right. I am asking people to end this injustice and tell Crimestoppers what you know. The charity will keep you totally anonymous.
“Many people were at that party, including many friends of Sasha, but nearly everyone has been reluctant to come forward. I understand people may be scared, but people should search their conscience and do what is right for Sasha, her family and her sons.”
Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously via 0800 555 111 or through its website crimestoppers-uk.org.
