Three men convicted over fatal Wakefield drive-by shooting that killed Dale “Brett” Stogden
Wakefield Stunned by Deadly Drive-By Shooting
A brutal drive-by shooting in Wakefield ended in tragedy last August, with Dale “Brett” Stogden losing his life. After a tense two-week trial at Leeds Crown Court, Leyton Davies, 28, was found guilty of murder. Adam Ahmed, 21, and Marc Carter, 20, were convicted of manslaughter. All three had earlier admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, including heroin and cocaine. Sentencing dates are yet to be announced.
Wrong Man Shot in Ruthless Attack
The shooting took place on Doncaster Road just before 10pm on 12 August 2025. Brett was with a female friend when a passing car opened fire. Despite rush to hospital, Brett died from a single gunshot wound shortly after 10:30pm.
Police investigations revealed Brett was not the intended target. Two other men at the scene scattered immediately, believed to be the actual targets. CCTV showed the three men—and a fourth accomplice—circling the Agbrigg area hours before, searching for those men.
On the night of the shooting, CCTV caught Ahmed hiding a machete before getting into a stolen Toyota RAV4 with cloned plates. Ahmed drove, Carter sat front passenger, and Davies fired the fatal shot from the back seat as the car slowed near a petrol station. The weapon was a dangerous converted blank-firing pistol capable of firing metal projectiles, though it has never been recovered.
Police Warn of Rising Threat from Converted Guns
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 serious harm. They carried a machete and converted blank-firing pistol and spent hours hunting their targets. This case highlights the deadly risk from converted firearms. West Yorkshire Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="3343">West Yorkshire Police is determined to crack down on such weapons and their supply.”
Quick Police Work Leads to Arrests
The stolen RAV4 was found abandoned the day after the murder. Taxi company records showed the men used a cab, stopping multiple times before all were dropped off at Davies’ home.
All three suspects were arrested on 15 August and charged three days later. They remain in custody as communities reel from this shocking killing, a grim sign of growing danger posed by converted firearms on UK streets.
