Teenager convicted of murdering woman in Hackney

A teenager has been found guilty of murdering Lianna Gordon in Hackney.

Lianna Gordon was hiding behind the front door of her home when she was shot on December 5, 2023. While she may not have been the intended target, we know that her unnecessary death was the result of gang discord.

A 17-year-old boy (A) appeared at the Old Bailey where he was found guilty of murdering Lianna Gordon following a trial on Wednesday 30 October.

He was also found guilty of affray, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a bladed article and two counts of attempted murder. He previously pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to supply class A drugs.

He will be sentenced in the same court on Monday, December 2.

The court heard that at 6.28pm on Tuesday 5 December 2023, police were called to reports of shots fired near an address in Vine Close, E5. Officers and London Ambulance Service paramedics arrived at the scene and found three people suffering from gunshot wounds.

Despite efforts by emergency services to save her, 42-year-old Lianna Gordon sadly died at the scene.

Two other people, a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, were taken to hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The accused was arrested at his home address on December 8, 2023.

Officers searched his home address and found Class A drugs, a machete, a burner phone and drug paraphernalia.

A search of his computer equipment revealed that after he returned home from the shooting, he carried out 65 searches on news sites and social media relating to “fatal shooting in Hackney” and “Leanne Gordon”. On December 9, 2023, he was charged with murder and taken into custody.

Footage seized by officers also showed the defendant approaching two male victims as they stood outside Lianna Gordon’s home on Vine Close. He shot both of them as they tried to hide behind parked cars.

It was at this moment that Lianna, realizing that she was in danger, tried to close the door, but the teenager managed to shoot her before she could do so. That single shot ended her life, and an autopsy confirmed that Lianna died from a gunshot wound to the head.

Forensic experts recovered shell casings from the scene and ballistics scientific tests confirmed the gun used in Lianna’s murder was also used in the incident on December 2, 2023, when shots were fired near the entrance to Vine Close. However, there were no reports of casualties.

During a search of the 17-year-old’s home address, a glove was found. It contained his DNA and gunshot residue, linking him to the fatal shooting.

Police later seized lyrics composed by the accused in his cell, which were self-aggrandizing descriptions of the murder and shootings.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanna York, who led the investigation, said: “The defendant was a known gang member with a history of drug and violence involvement. Lianna Gordon was a mother of two who was shot and killed for reasons we may never know or understand.

“I am glad that the killer will face the consequences of his actions, but also that he will spend years of his life in a place where he can no longer pose a threat to society.

“While nothing can bring Lianna back, I sincerely hope that today’s sentence will bring some comfort to her loved ones.”

A/Ch Supt Brigid Bihag-Fisher, responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “I welcome today’s result, which brings justice to Lianna Gordon’s family. While this sentence will not return the mother to her family, it will still bring some closure to her family, friends and local community who have been impacted by this tragic situation. event.

“We are committed to tackling gun crime and serious violence across London, and today’s verdict is testament to the team’s hard work in getting violent and dangerous people off the streets and protecting our local communities.

“If you know anyone who carries a weapon or is involved in serious violence, I urge you to contact the police or through the independent charity Crimestoppers to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.”