A 17-year-old has been found guilty of the broad daylight murder of 16-year-old Kamari Johnson in Hayes. The verdict was delivered at the Old Bailey on Tuesday (January 21st).
The tragic incident took place on May 24, 2024, on Bourne Avenue, where Kamari was fatally stabbed. CCTV footage captured the harrowing moments as the teenager attempted to escape his attacker on a moped, only to crash moments later.
Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after 1:30pm, but despite their efforts, Kamari succumbed to his injuries. The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed due to legal reasons, turned himself in at Hayes Police Station the following day.
During his interview, he maintained that he was acting in self-defence, prompting an extensive police investigation involving CCTV evidence and witness statements.
Further inquiries, including a review of phone records, revealed that the two teenagers had been embroiled in a dispute over a moped valued at approximately £180.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, who led the investigation, said: “This was a senseless killing, which took place out in the open. Members of the public rushed to Kamari’s aid, but were unable to save him.
“In the absence of a murder weapon, CCTV evidence proved crucial in convicting the killer. Residents around the scene of the crime were encouraged to upload footage from their own cameras to an online portal. From this, investigators were able to reconstruct the killer’s movements on the day.
“My thoughts are with Kamari’s loved ones, who have suffered an unimaginable loss. I also pay tribute to the members of the public who came to Kamari’s aid as he lay dying, and to those who assisted with the investigation.”
The convicted teenager is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, March 14.
