Four teens guilty of killing Shea Gordon in Tower Hamlets

Four teenagers have been convicted of killing 17-year-old Shea Gordon after a birthday party.

Kavian Vaughans, 18, of Blaydon Close in Tottenham and Abdul Yaro, 19, of Chesnut Road, were found guilty of Shea’s murder today (August 2).

Two other 18-year-olds – Dainnan Witter-Cameron, of Galahad Road in Enfield, and Giovanni Addae-Johnson, of John La Rose Court in Tottenham – were convicted of manslaughter.

Shea died after he was attacked outside a birthday party in Lichfield Road, Tower Hamlets, last year.

The celebration at a hall in the street ended at around 11.30pm on September 3, 2022.

A large group of people were outside the venue when the four defendants, all dressed in black and masked, walked towards them.

Shea was then stabbed before being chased by his attackers down nearby Alloway Road and into Morgan Street.

Here he collapsed and was found by medics who lived nearby suffering from three stab wounds, including a fatal blow to his chest.

A doctor from London’s Air Ambulance then arrived, performing surgery in the street in an attempt to restart Shea’s heart. Despite his efforts the 17-year-old succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Addae-Johnson was also found in Morgan Street with knife injuries to his neck. He was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital, where he recovered from his injuries.

After the stabbings, Yaro and Vaughans fled towards Mile End Road, with Yaro, who was also injured, leaving a trail of blood behind him.

A police investigation later uncovered Snapchat messages showing that the four defendants planned to attend the party to attack Shea.

Witter-Cameron, the only defendant invited to the party along with Shea, met the other three outside the venue before they launched their attack.

All four defendants were arrested by police in September 2022, and subsequently charged on October 22.

They were convicted following a trial at the Old Bailey and will be sentenced at the same court in the week beginning September 11.

Det Ch Insp Mark Rogers, who led the investigation, said: “Three of the four defendants were aged 17 when Shea Gordon was murdered.

“They are all now aged over 18, and are therefore being tried as adults.

“Shea’s family have been devastated by his loss, but they have been dignified and supportive throughout the inquiry and my thoughts and thanks go out to them.

“I sincerely hope that today’s verdicts bring a small measure of comfort to Shea’s loved ones.”