Abdul Mayanja: Teenager shot dead in London after being asked where he was from, court told

‘The motive for the shooting may become clearer as the case develops’

Abdul Mayanja was murdered on 25 August 2017 in Stratford, east London (Metropolitan Police)

A teenager was shot dead after being asked where he was from, a court has heard.

Abdul Mayanja, 19, was killed as he sat on a wall with a female friend in Stratford, east London, on the night of 25 August 2017. He died from a single wound to the chest.

London's Old Bailey heard he was approached by two young men in Well Street, one of whom carried a shotgun.

“Abdul was asked, ‘what ends you from?’ or ‘where you from?’,” said Prosecutor Anthony Orchard QC. “Without waiting for an answer, Abdul was shot.

“The gunmen returned to a dark vehicle, which drove off.”

The court heard a grey Nissan Qashqai, which was allegedly used in the shooting, was found burning in the early hours of the following morning in Jade Close, in Canning Town, east London.

Four men, all from east London, are standing trial accused of murdering Mr Mayanja.

Alex Simos, 20, his cousin Marvin Simos, 22, Sean Obazee, 25, and Braeden Henry, 24, deny the charges.

Kieron Aransibia, 24, and Jade Thrower, 23, also east London, deny perverting the course of justice.

Mr Orchard said: “The prosecution case is that the first four defendants were involved in the shooting in Well Street. The four of them were in the Qashqai, from which the gunman and one other had emerged and then returned to. Each of the four played a key role in the shooting, either as gunman, back-up or driver.

“The role of the fifth and sixth defendants was to assist afterwards by purchasing and supplying petrol from a local garage, to enable the ‘burning’ of the Nissan Qashqai to destroy potential evidence. The motive for the shooting may become clearer as the case develops.

“It appears Abdul Mayanja was an easy target.”

The trial continues.