Five men have been locked up for a staggering combined 189 years after cold-bloodedly stabbing two men to death and trying to kill another in england/england/archway/”>archway/”>Archway last year.
Gang Mistakes Innocent Teens for Rivals
The victims, 15-year-old Leonardo Reid and 23-year-old Klevi Shekaj, had no gang ties. They were killed after being mistaken for rival gang members during a chaotic incident on the Elthorne estate, london/”>North London, on 29 June 2023.
The group — Lorik Lupqi, 21, Abel Chunda, 29, Jason Furtado, 28, Eden Clark, 29, and Xavier Poponne, 21 — were convicted after a 15-Weekweek trial at the Old Bailey and sentenced to life in prison on 26 September.
Plot to Attack During Music Video Shoot
Lupqi spotted a crowd filming a music video and wrongly assumed rivals were present. Ignoring his girlfriend’s warnings, he rallied his gang mates. Their messages showed 50 calls exchanged before they launched their deadly attack.
Leonardo died at the scene, Klevi succumbed to injuries in hospital, and another man was seriously wounded. The killers tried to cover their tracks, but relentless investigation exposed them.
Chilling Evidence and Arrests
- One suspect fled to Kosovo but was extradited back.
- Another tried to change appearance to dodge cops.
- Damning drill lyrics by Poponne glorified the murders and revealed insider details.
Mothers Speak Out, Detective Praises Justice
Klevi’s mother: “No punishment brings my son back, but this sentence might stop others from causing such pain. No mother should bury a child over senseless violence.”
Leonardo’s mother: “My son was a beautiful, intelligent 15-year-old. The killers show no conscience. No sentence can justify their cold-blooded act.”
Detective Inspector Jim Barry:
“This gang’s brutal, pointless attack wrecked lives. Their victims were never involved in gangs. They’ll now spend decades behind bars for these horrific crimes.”
The devastating murders have shaken North London and sent a chilling warning about gang violence’s deadly consequences.
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