Neighbours thought gunshots that killed rappers were fireworks | UK News

Two rappers were stabbed and shot repeatedly when gunmen burst into a house and turned it into a ‘scene of bloody carnage’, the Old Bailey has heard. 

Saydi Abu Sheikh, 23, and Zakariya Jeilani Mohamed, 31, were massacred in a bedroom during a five-minute ‘revenge’ attack in Ilford, east London, at about midnight last October 25.

A third man, Khalid Khalid, was shot through the head but survived along with two more men who ran or hid, jurors were told. 

Five men are on trial accused of the double murder, two charges of attempted murder and perverting the course of justice by destroying the car. 

Zain Mirza, 21, is said to have ordered Chibiuke Ohanweh, 21, Ayaani Ali Adan, 20, Mahad Gouled, 22, and Zakarie Mohamed, 19, to carry out the attack. 

Opening their trial on Wednesday, John Price KC told how a resident had called 999 at 12.18am after hearing a bang and seeing a car ablaze in Ronnie Lane. 

He told jurors: ‘It began with the sound of what some thought might be fireworks going off. But it was not the sound of fireworks. It was the sound of guns being discharged. 

‘A few minutes later, police officers and paramedics arrived in Henley Road and within the house at Number 44 was found a scene of bloody carnage. 

‘In an upstairs room were two young men, both dead or dying. They had each been shot and stabbed many times. 

‘A third young man, gravely wounded, had been left for dead. Though he sustained a gunshot wound which had passed through his head, he was to survive. 

‘It was later discovered that a fourth man had run from the back of the house when a group of attackers armed with guns had forced their way in. He is lucky to have escaped with his life.’ 

The survivor, Ali Sheikh, later told police: ‘The males at the door then forced open the front door and fired two gunshots straight away.  

‘I immediately turned to run away but one of the bullets grazed the top of my shoulder by my neck.’ 

Mr Price went on: ‘A fifth man was even more fortunate. Zachary Abdi had been in the upstairs room where the killings happened, when they happened. 

‘But before the gunmen were able to force their way into the room, he had concealed himself between a bed and the wall.  

‘Almost miraculously, his presence there went undetected by the gunmen.’ 

The court heard Saydi Abu Sheikh had been stabbed 28 times and shot four times while Zakariya Jeilani Mohamed was stabbed five times and shot at least seven times. 

Survivor Khalid Khalid was shot six times. One bullet entered the side of his face, passed through his head and exited beside his mouth, causing damage to parts of the skull, his brain, and his teeth. 

Ali Sheikh sustained a ‘flesh wound’ to the top of his shoulder by the neck when someone fired a shot at him, jurors were told. 

The prosecution allege that four men caught on CCTV cameras in Henley Road were the defendants Ohanweh, Adan, Gouled, and Mohamad. 

It is alleged the fifth defendant, Mirza, had ‘procured’ the attack while careful to remain at ‘arm’s length’. 

Mr Price said: ‘He was the one who most wanted it done. His motive was revenge.’ 

Ohanweh, of Romford; Adan, of Barking; Gouled, of Enfield, and Mirza, of Newham, deny all the charges against them while Mohamad, of Kensington, has admitted perverting the course of justice. 

The trial continues. 

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