Teenager Convicted of Peckham Murder After Man Shot Dead in Front of His Mother
A 19-year-old man has been found guilty of murder after fatally shooting Jesse Lloyd-Smith, 20, in broad daylight in Peckham, south east London, last summer.
Jesse’s mother discovered him wounded on East Surrey Grove shortly before 5pm on Wednesday, 10 July 2024, after hearing gunshots near their home. Jesse was rushed to hospital, but tragically died the following day.
Shooter Convicted After Three-Month Trial
Gabriel Charles, born 7 October 2005 and from Southwark, was convicted of murder at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 24 July, following a three-month trial.
The court heard how Charles drove a silver Ford S-Max towards the Damilola Taylor Centre, parked, and ran towards Jesse Lloyd-Smith, firing a handgun five times, with one bullet fatally wounding Jesse.
Charles fled the UK shortly after the killing but was arrested and charged with murder upon returning in November 2024.
Mother’s Heartbreaking Tribute
Jesse’s mother, Ty Lloyd-Smith, spoke of her grief and the “overwhelming emotional turmoil” her family continues to endure:
“The loss of a vibrant young man, filled with potential and dreams, serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life.”
She thanked the Met’s homicide team and London Air Ambulance for their support and called on the community to unite for youth safety:
“Fighting for justice is not just for our loved ones but for every child in our community who deserves to live without fear.”
Police Condemn Gun Crime
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Unit, said:
“A mother should never experience the loss of a child, particularly as a result of violent crime… I hope this conviction acts as a deterrent.”
Six Others Found Guilty of Perverting the Course of Justice
Five men and one teenager were also found guilty of perverting the course of justice in relation to the murder. They are:
- Abdoul Guene, 18, of Peckham
- Kywan JN Pierre, 18, of Selhurst
-
Teenager Convicted of Peckham Murder After Man Shot Dead in Front of His Mother 
Ben Nguyen, 20, of no fixed address-
Teenager Convicted of Peckham Murder After Man Shot Dead in Front of His Mother - Kadjo Kadio, 21, of Romford
Teenager Convicted of Peckham Murder After Man Shot Dead in Front of His Mother - Enver Francis, 22, of Southwark
- A 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons
All seven will be sentenced at a later date at the Old Bailey.
Incident Background
The fatal shooting took place on East Surrey Grove, near a residential alleyway in Peckham. The incident sent shockwaves through the local community and drew renewed calls for action on youth and gang-related violence.
