Two men have been found guilty of murdering a teenager they did not know in suspected gang violence - as police continue to hunt his brother’s killer.
Abubakarr ‘Junior’ Jah was just 18 when he was shot and stabbed in Newham in April 2021.
His death came just four years after his older brother Ahmed Deen-Jah, 24, was fatally stabbed at a convenience shop in Canning Town, on April 2, 2017.
Awadh Saleh, 25, of Chesterton Terrace, Plaistow, and Rio Burton-Devine, 25, of Burder Close, Dalston, were convicted of Junior’s murder at the Old Bailey on Thursday.
But police continue to hunt Ahmed’s killers, as they told of the “unimaginable suffering” the brothers’ family has faced.
Junior died after being stabbed in Coolfin Road, Newham, on April 26, 2021, despite paramedics’ efforts to save him.
CCTV recovered by the Met police showed a Land Rover Discovery pulling up close to Junior around 2.45pm that day.
As he walked toward the car, he was shot in the chest.
The driver of the car, later identified by officers as Saleh, then got out and stabbed Junior twice in the chest with a large knife.
The car was later found on fire at nearby Routemaster Close.
Forensic specialists found Junior’s DNA on one of the doors, along with a fingerprint belonging to Burton-Devine.
Phone data placed both him and Saleh in the car, and showed they had been together in the hours leading up to the murder.
Detectives believe they did not know Junior, but that the attack was motivated by a feud between rival gangs.
Both men denied their involvement in the murder.
But a jury at the Old Bailey found both guilty of murder, and of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Saleh was also found guilty of possession of a pointed/bladed article.
They are due to be sentenced on June 12.
Detective Inspector Gary Harreman, who led the investigation, said: “Junior was murdered just four years after his brother Ahmed and his family have been through unimaginable suffering. Our thoughts continue to remain with them.
“Junior’s life was suddenly and inexplicably cut short by two men who set out that day on a ‘rideout’, intent on carrying out the most brutal act of violence against anyone they believed may be linked to rival gangs.
“They believed they could get away with their crimes but despite the length of time passed, our team never gave up fighting for justice for Junior and his family.”
Ahmed was killed after entering BJ Wines convenience shop on Freemasons Road, Canning Town, on April 2, 2017, to buy a cigarette lighter.
His killer chased him around the shop before attacking him, fatally stabbing him in the heart and slashing his hands.
He was given emergency first aid by medics, but died at the scene.
Witnesses reported seeing the suspect get into a black Mercedes car, which was parked outside the shop.
Two other men were also thought to have been in the car, which fled the scene before police arrived. The car had been reported stolen several days earlier.
Speaking in 2017, his father Abubakarr Jah said: “Ahmed was a beautiful, kind boy. He wanted to do something with his life. Now we have lost him. He didn’t deserve for this to happen.
“Young people need to put down their knives and stop the violence. It is destroying families and communities."
DI Harreman, who led the subsequent investigation into Junior’s death, said police “continue to fight for justice and are working to find those responsible” for killing Ahmed.
“Seven years has passed since his murder but we know people’s allegiances can change over time,” he said.
“Anyone who has information is asked to call police on 101 or alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555 111."
