Five men lockup for brutal east London shooting that left one victim paralysed. The gang was jailed for a combined total of over 80 years at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 23 January. One teen even tried to escape capture by hiding inside a bed.
Dog Walk Turns Deadly in Canning Town
In the early hours of 26 October 2024, two brothers were walking their dog in Thorne Close, Canning Town, when gunfire shattered the night. Just after 2am, a stolen Audi screeched to a halt. Two men jumped out and chased the brothers down the street before opening fire.
- The 36-year-old brother was shot in the hand.
- The younger brother, 28, took a bullet in the back and is now paralysed down one side of his lower body.
Police found five 9mm Makarov bullet casings at the scene and discovered a balaclava containing one attacker’s DNA.
Detectives Crack the Case
Detective Sergeant Ryan Findleton said: “This was a shocking, targeted act of violence that left an innocent man with life-changing injuries. These sentences show the relentless work of officers to bring these dangerous criminals to justice. We hope this offers some relief to the victims and the community.”
He added: “Anyone waving weapons in London should know we will do everything we can to make sure they spend serious time behind bars. Thanks to hard work, attempted murder charges for gun crimes have almost doubled since 2023, with typical sentences now between 20 to 35 years. This effort has made London’s streets safer, with fewer killed or seriously hurt.”
Dramatic Manhunt Ends in Arrest
Using CCTV footage, police tracked the stolen Audi and identified the shooters as Ronnie Hill, Esmaela Seidi, a 16-year-old boy, and Kennedy Senga. Armed with knives and a loaded gun, they had travelled from South Woodford to Canning Town.
Senga, Seidi, and the teen were arrested in December 2024. Hill, however, evaded police until March 2025, when officers found him hiding inside a divan bed during a manhunt. The raid also uncovered a loaded handgun, a fake firearm, and live ammunition.
Harsh Sentences After Savage Trial
An eight-week trial ended with unanimous guilty verdicts in October 2025. The sentences handed down were:
- Ronnie Hill, 18: Two counts of attempted murder and firearm possession. Sentenced to 24 years.
- Esmaela Seidi, 18: Two counts of attempted murder. Sentenced to 18.5 years.
- 16-year-old teen: Two counts of attempted murder and firearm possession. Sentenced to 14.5 years.
- Kennedy Senga, 19: Two counts of attempted murder and firearm possession. Sentenced to 21 years.
- Abdul Ahmed, 21: Not involved in shooting but helped Hill hide. Sentenced to 2.5 years for assisting an offender.
Justice has finally been served for this savage attack that changed a man’s life forever.
