A Nigerian teenager living in the UK, Emmanuel Popoola, and his friend, Tayvon Etefia, have been sentenced to life in prison for killing 18-year-old Keanu Harker. Each of them must serve at least 28 years.
PUNCH Metro had earlier reported that Popoola shot Harker in Enfield after a fight over comments in a Snapchat group chat. The London Metropolitan Police said that Popoola and Etefia tracked Harker on an electric bike before shooting him in a drive-by on June 26, 2025.
The police explained that the attack started when Popoola got angry over comments in a Snapchat group chat that made fun of him for not having mobile data. In an update from the Metropolitan Police on Sunday, officials said the two were sentenced at the Old Bailey after being found guilty of murder on July 6, following a six-week trial.
The police statement added, "At the same court on Friday, 10 July, they were both detained for life and ordered to serve a minimum tariff of 28 years."
On Monday, July 6, three others were convicted of perverting justice. They are Eliezer Mbaki, 25, Anais King, 19, and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named. Mbaki received a sentence of four years and nine months at the Old Bailey on July 10.
The victim's family shared their feelings, saying that while justice had been served, no sentence could replace their son. "Our son had just turned 18 when these individuals decided to take his life. We are grateful that some measure of justice has been served, but no amount of time they spend in prison will ever be enough for us. We have been left with a lifetime of pain and loss that can never be undone," the family said.
They also hoped this case would highlight the serious effects of gang violence. "We hope this case opens people’s eyes to how damaging gang culture has become for young people. Too many children are losing their lives, and too many families are being left to suffer unimaginable heartbreak."
The family stated, "Something must change before more young lives are taken, and more parents are forced to endure the pain that we now live with every day."
The Metropolitan Police commented on the case, with Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card saying it shows the dangers of youth violence. "This is a tragic case that yet again demonstrates why our commitment to tackling serious violence is so important," Card stated.
She explained that the investigation found Harker was killed over comments in a social media group chat. "Our painstaking investigation established that Keanu was murdered because his killers took offence to something that was said in a social media group chat."
Card continued, "Rather than ignore the comments, Emmanuel Popoola armed himself with a pistol and, with the help of Tayvon Etefia, carried out a drive-by shooting. This was cowardly and disproportionate violence that has understandably shocked the community.
"We spent months building a strong case against the killers and those who tried to help them, and I am pleased to have been able to secure justice for Keanu’s family," she said.
The Metropolitan Police earlier revealed that Popoola fled to France after the shooting. Etefia was caught on a train at London’s St Pancras International Station just two minutes before it left for Paris. Popoola was arrested in Paris after a joint operation by British and French police before being sent back to the UK to face trial.
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