A 17-year-old boy was fatally shot in the head and stabbed with a machete while lying defenceless on the ground outside a music studio in Tottenham on April 13 last year.
After a three-month trial, Tyrese Barnett, 20, Leo Reid, 20, Rhys Antwi, 20, and Kalam Bagge, 19, have all been found guilty of Tyler McDermott’s murder.
The Attack and Subsequent Trial
Prosecutor John Price KC detailed to the court that “tension and hostility” had been brewing between two groups of young people at the studio that morning. The altercation escalated when Barnett shot Tyler in the head with a ball-bearing gun, and Reid stabbed him with a machete.
Despite the efforts of paramedics, Tyler succumbed to his injuries and died in hospital the following day.
Escape Attempt and Capture
The two attackers were identified by police and were found two days later at Heathrow Airport with one-way tickets to Jamaica, the court heard. They were sitting together, likely attempting to flee the country.
Additional Charges and Sentencing
Barnett, of no fixed address, was further found guilty of attempted murder, while Reid and Antwi, of Prentis Road in Streatham, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon ahead of the trial.
Acquittals and Sentencing
Two other men, Coker, 21, of Bowen Drive in Sydenham, and McBeth, 20, of The Glade in Croydon, were charged with murder but were acquitted by the jury on Wednesday, June 19.
Barnett, Reid, Antwi, and Bagge, of Nimrod Road in Tooting, will be sentenced on September 20.
Court Statements
In his closing remarks, Prosecutor John Price KC highlighted the brutality of the attack and the premeditated nature of the crime. He stated that although the prosecution did not allege Reid caused Tyler’s death with the machete, his actions helped prove he shared guilt for the murder.
Community Impact
The murder of Tyler McDermott has shocked the Tottenham community, highlighting ongoing issues of youth violence and gang-related tensions in the area. The case has drawn significant media attention and underscores the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of such violence.
Moving Forward
As the community awaits the sentencing of the convicted, local leaders and law enforcement officials are calling for increased vigilance and community cooperation to prevent further tragedies. Tyler McDermott’s family continues to mourn their loss, seeking justice and peace in the aftermath of this senseless act of violence.
