Attempted Murder Trial Begins in London but Jury Warned Gunman has Since Died

A sign is pictured at the main entrance of the Central Criminal Court, commonly referred to as The Old Bailey in central London on Aug. 21, 2016. Niklas Halle'n/AFP/Getty Images

Six people have gone on trial for attempted murder in a gang-related shooting but the jury has been told the gunman has since died.

Opening the case at the Old Bailey on Thursday, prosecutor Karim Khalil, KC, said the background to the shooting was a long-running feud between the “67 gang” from Brixton Hill and their rivals, the “17 gang” from the Wandsworth Road area.

Mr. Khalil said Brandon Malutshi, who was affiliated with the 17 gang, was shot and wounded at the Oval Space nightclub in Hackney, east London, on the night of Aug. 29 and early hours of Aug. 30 last year.

But he said the individual the prosecution claim was the gunman—who cannot be named for legal reasons—is now deceased.

Instead, six other men are on trial, accused of taking part in a joint enterprise with the shooter.

Shemiah Bell, 31, Marcus Pottinger, 31, Connel Bamgboye, 29, Simeon Glasgow, 30, Carl Tagoe, 29, and Hamza Abdi, 24, deny attempted murder.

They are also charged with wounding with intent, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Abdi alone is accused of assisting an offender.

Pottinger alone is charged with two counts of possession of a prohibited firearm on Dec. 16, 2022 in relation to the barrel, frame and cylinder for a .32 calibre revolver and a .38 calibre revolver.

Mr. Khalil said five of the defendants attended a party at the Oval Space Club on the night of the shooting while Mr. Abdi was a “getaway driver” who was parked nearby.

‘Bullet Went Straight Through’ Victim’s Leg

The prosecutor said: “When the other defendants were inside the club, (the gunman) pulled a handgun out of a bag which had been smuggled into the club by other defendants. He shot at Brandon Malutshi. (He) shot him in the upper part of his left leg. The bullet went straight through his leg.”

The victim ran from the club, chased by a gunman and Mr. Bell, claimed Mr. Khalil.

He said Mr. Malutshi was shot at several times, but only one bullet struck him, going through his right leg.

Mr. Malutshi collapsed, and passers-by rang 999 and paramedics arrived to stabilise his condition.

Mr. Khalil said the victim was taken to hospital but discharged himself later on Aug. 30, against the advice of doctors.

The prosecution claim the gunman was driven away by Abdi in a hired Range Rover and the other five—allegedly members of the 67 gang—fled the scene before police arrived.

The gun used in the attack has never been found.

The trial is expected to last until February.

PA Media contributed to this report.