Two teenage drill rappers have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old in north London after a gang dispute that escalated on social media.
Popoola Emmanuel found guilty alongside Tayvon Etefia, also 18, over the killing of Keanu Harker, who was shot dead in Enfield on June 26, 2025. Following a trial at the Old Bailey, both teenagers were sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 28 years behind bars.
Reporting the incident, BBCnews reported that Harker was riding his bicycle when he was pursued by the two teenagers on a high powered electric bike. Popoola, who was riding as the passenger, fired three shots at close range, striking Harker in the head and chest. The victim managed to crawl into the front garden of a nearby house before collapsing. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Prosecutors explained to the court that the killing stemmed from a long-running rivalry between local gangs and was triggered by an exchange of insulting messages on Snapchat. Following the shooting, members of the group reportedly boasted about the killing in drill rap videos shared online.
After the murder, the two teenagers had reportedly fled the scene, abandoned the electric bike, and attempted to evade arrest. Etefia was arrested aboard a Eurostar train moments before it departed for Paris. While Popoola successfully travelled to France before being located, arrested by French authorities, and extradited to the United Kingdom.
Harker’s family trial statement
In a statement read before the court, Harker’s family described the teenager as vulnerable and said no prison sentence could compensate for the pain of losing their son. They expressed hope that the case would draw attention to the devastating impact of gang culture on young people and prevent similar tragedies.
Authorities described the murder as a senseless act of violence driven by a social media dispute. While warning that online conflicts can quickly escalate into deadly real world consequences when combined with gang rivalry.
By Musekir Faisat OmolaraÂ
