Emmanuel Popoola and accomplice Tayvon Etefia receive life sentences after the fatal drive-by shooting of Keanu Harker following a Snapchat dispute

United Kingdom-based Nigerian teenager Emmanuel Popoola and Tayvon Etefia have been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years each for the murder of 18-year-old Keanu Harker, bringing to a close a high-profile case that police said began with a dispute in a Snapchat group chat.

Also read: UK Court convicts Nigerian teen over fatal Snapchat row

The pair were sentenced at the Old Bailey after being convicted of murder on 6 July, following a six-week trial, according to an update published on Sunday by the Metropolitan Police.

The court ordered both men to serve a minimum of 28 years before becoming eligible for parole.

The case centred on the fatal shooting of Harker in Enfield, north London, on 26 June 2025. Investigators said Popoola and Etefia tracked the teenager on an electric bicycle before carrying out a drive-by shooting.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the attack was sparked after Popoola became angered by comments made about him in a Snapchat group chat, including remarks mocking him for allegedly not having mobile data.

Confirming the sentences, the police said, “At the same court on Friday, 10 July, they were both detained for life and ordered to serve a minimum tariff of 28 years.”

The force also confirmed that three other individuals were convicted of attempting to obstruct the investigation.

“On Monday, 6 July, Eliezer Mbaki, 25, Anais King, 19, and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were convicted of perverting the course of justice.

“Mbaki was sentenced to four years and nine months at the Old Bailey on Friday, 10 July,” the statement added.

Reacting to the judgment, Harker’s family said the convictions had delivered a measure of justice but could never compensate for the loss of their son.

“Our son had just turned 18 when these individuals decided to take his life.

“We are grateful that some measure of justice has been served, but no amount of time they spend in prison will ever be enough for us. We have been left with a lifetime of pain and loss that can never be undone,” the family said.

The family also expressed hope that the case would draw greater attention to the devastating impact of youth violence and gang culture.

“We hope this case opens people’s eyes to how damaging gang culture has become for young people. Too many children are losing their lives, and too many families are being left to suffer unimaginable heartbreak.

“Something must change before more young lives are taken, and more parents are forced to endure the pain that we now live with every day,” the statement added.

Commenting on the outcome, Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, the lead investigator, described the killing as another stark reminder of the dangers posed by serious youth violence.

“This is a tragic case that yet again demonstrates why our commitment to tackling serious violence is so important,” Card said.

According to the detective, investigators established that the victim was killed because the attackers took offence at comments exchanged on social media.

“Our painstaking investigation established that Keanu was murdered because his killers took offence to something that was said in a social media group chat.

“Rather than ignore the comments, Emmanuel Popoola armed himself with a pistol and, with the help of Tayvon Etefia, carried out a drive-by shooting.

This was cowardly and disproportionate violence that has understandably shocked the community.

“We spent months building a comprehensive case against the killers and those who tried to help them, and I am pleased to have been able to secure justice for Keanu’s family,” she added.

Following the shooting, Popoola fled to France, prompting an international manhunt. The Metropolitan Police had earlier disclosed that Etefia was arrested aboard a train at London St Pancras International Station just two minutes before it departed for Paris.

Popoola was later arrested in the French capital during a joint operation involving British and French law enforcement agencies before being extradited to the United Kingdom to stand trial.

The case has reignited debate over youth violence, gang-related crime and the role of social media disputes in escalating into fatal incidents.

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British authorities have repeatedly warned that seemingly minor online disagreements can quickly develop into serious acts of violence, underscoring the need for continued intervention and prevention programmes targeting young people.