Young Man Jailed for Life Over Brutal Murder of Dad-to-Be
Momodu Samura, 23, from Stanley Road, Haringey, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 23 years behind bars. The Wood Green Crown Court handed down the verdict on Friday, 13 May, after he was found guilty of murdering 21-year-old Tyreke Watson.
Murder and More: Knife Crime and Drug Charges
Samura was convicted not only of murder but also possession of a bladed article. He received a concurrent 12-month sentence for the knife possession. Additionally, he was handed a 30-month sentence for drug offences involving cocaine and heroin he had pled guilty to separately.
Tragic Killing of Expectant Father
“Tyreke was only 21 years old and had his whole life ahead of him when he was senselessly murdered by Samura, who at one point claims to have been his friend,” said Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.
Tyreke and his girlfriend were expecting a baby at the time of the stabbing. Their child is now one year old and will never know their father.
“Our thoughts are with Tyreke’s family and friends who have shown immense strength throughout the case. We hope today’s verdict offers them some closure. Samura was a young man with a future too, but now he faces the harsh reality for carrying and using a knife. This terrible episode underscores that knife crime only leads to disaster,” added DCI Bradley.
How It All Unfolded
On 22 February 2021, Tyreke spotted Samura near a shop on West Green Road. Samura was there to reclaim a PlayStation he had pawned earlier. Although Samura claimed they were friends, their phone contact had stopped months before, with no clear explanation.
The pair exchanged words outside the shop. Witnesses said they appeared friendly at first. But things turned violent when Samura pulled out an object from his pocket, prompting Tyreke to reach for his own. A struggle broke out in the doorway.
Tyreke broke free but was chased down the street by Samura wielding a flick knife. Outside a garage, Samura stabbed him in the chest. Tyreke collapsed in the communal area of his flats after crossing the road, but despite the efforts of the London Ambulance Service and Air Ambulance, he died at the scene.
Samura’s Desperate Escape and Arrest
After the stabbing, Samura returned home and later fled in a car. CCTV showed him changing clothes and withdrawing cash shortly afterward. He stopped using his phone and even bought a new Oyster card to avoid detection.
Police searched his home and found the murder weapon with Tyreke’s blood on it, along with a large machete, rap lyrics glorifying knife crime, and £600 worth of cocaine and heroin.
Samura was arrested at a friend’s house in Bow just after midnight on 24 February 2021. He remained silent during police interviews but was charged the next day.
During the trial, Samura admitted causing Tyreke’s fatal injury but claimed self-defence. The jury rejected his defence, leading to his conviction and life sentence.
