A 17-year-old boy has been convicted at the Old Bailey of the murder of Lianne Gordon, a 42-year-old woman fatally shot outside her Hackney home in December 2023. The defendant, whose name cannot be released for legal reasons, was found guilty on Wednesday of murder, along with charges of affray, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a bladed article, and two counts of attempted murder. He had also previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. He will be sentenced on 2 December.
On the evening of 5 December 2023, police responded to a call reporting a shooting at Vine Close, Hackney. Emergency responders arrived to find three people with gunshot wounds. Despite their efforts, Lianne Gordon, a mother of two, succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head at the scene. Two other victims, a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, were treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
The court heard that Gordon had been sheltering behind her front door when the assailant fired shots intended for two men standing nearby, believed to be linked to a gang dispute. She attempted to close her door to escape the violence but was fatally struck by a single shot before she could do so.
The teenage defendant was arrested at his home on 8 December 2023. A search of his residence uncovered Class A drugs, a machete, a “burner phone,” and drug-related paraphernalia. Forensic evidence, including shell casings a glove with firearm residue and the defendant’s DNA, tied him to the shooting. Investigators also found internet searches on his devices related to “Lianne Gordon” and “fatal shooting in Hackney” made after the incident. Disturbing song lyrics, apparently composed by the defendant, reportedly detailed the murder in a self-congratulatory manner.
Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, who led the investigation, commented on the conviction: “The defendant was a known gang member with previous involvement in drugs and violence. Lianne Gordon was a mother of two who was shot dead for reasons we may never fully comprehend. This conviction ensures that he will no longer pose a threat to the community.”
Assistant Chief Superintendent Brigid Beehag-Fisher, responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, also welcomed the verdict. “While this verdict will not bring back a mother to her family, it does provide some closure to her loved ones and the local community impacted by this tragic event,” she said. “We are committed to tackling gun crime and serious violence across London, and today’s outcome demonstrates the hard work of our teams to remove dangerous individuals from the streets.”
The police have urged the public to report any knowledge of weapon possession or violent crime to authorities or anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers, in hopes of preventing further tragedies.
