Three men have been found guilty over a fatal drive-by shooting in Wakefield that claimed the life of Dale “Brett” Stogden last August.
Fatal Shooting Shock in Wakefield
During a tense two-week trial at Leeds Crown Court, Leyton Davies, 28, was convicted of murder. Meanwhile, Adam Ahmed, 21, and Marc Carter, 20, were found guilty of manslaughter. All three had also previously admitted to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, including heroin and cocaine. Sentencing dates are yet to be set.
The tragic shooting happened on Doncaster Road on the evening of 12 August 2025. Police were called just before 10 pm following reports that a man had been shot by a passing car. Brett, who was with a female friend, was rushed to the hospital but died from a single gunshot wound shortly after 10.30 pm.
Not the Intended Target, But Deadly Violence Dealt
Investigations revealed Brett was likely not the intended victim. Two other men present fled immediately after the shooting, believed to be the actual targets. CCTV footage showed the three men and a fourth accomplice driving around the Agbrigg area earlier that day, searching for those men.
On the night of the murder, CCTV captured Ahmed hiding a machete before getting into a stolen, cloned-plate Toyota RAV4 used in the attack. Ahmed drove the vehicle, with Carter in the front passenger seat and Davies firing the fatal shot from the back seat as the car slowed outside a petrol station.
The weapon used was a converted blank-firing pistol capable of firing a metal projectile. It has not been recovered.
Police Speak Out on Dangerous Converted Weapons
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said: “Brett was not the intended target, but killing the wrong person is no excuse. The grief suffered by Brett’s family and friends is immense. “Ahmed, Carter, and Davies planned to cause serious harm. They had a machete and a converted blank firing pistol and spent hours searching the area beforehand. “This case highlights the deadly risk posed by converted blank-firing firearms. West Yorkshire Police is committed to cracking down on these weapons and their supply.”
Swift Police Action Leads to Arrest
Officers found the abandoned RAV4 the day after the murder. Taxi company records confirmed the men took a cab, stopping a few times before all were dropped off at Davies’ home.
All three suspects were arrested on 15 August and charged on 18 August. They have remained in custody since.
The tragic killing has sent shockwaves through Wakefield, underscoring the rising threat from converted firearms on UK streets.
