A 25-year-old man has been sentenced to a minimum of 35 years in prison after being found guilty of murdering a 15-year-old boy during a family music festival in west London. The victim, Rene Graham, was shot dead on 21 July 2024 at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park in Ladbroke Grove. During the same incident, a second individual survived when the shooter’s gun jammed, prompting the attacker to flee the scene.

Aderahman Boumzough, who has no fixed address, was convicted of murder and attempted murder at Woolwich Crown Court. In his sentencing, Judge Simon James condemned Boumzough’s behaviour as “callous and cold-blooded.” He emphasised that Rene Graham was a young boy who “should have had his whole life to realise his dreams and aspirations.” The judge acknowledged the harrowing impact the crime had on the family, describing their grief as a vivid example of “every parent’s worst nightmare.”

Following the tragedy, Rene Graham’s mother, Janay John-Francois, made a heartfelt plea for information, expressing the profound pain caused by the loss of her son: “I cannot begin to describe the depth of my pain after losing my precious angel.” She spoke of the emptiness and heartbreak that are beyond words, capturing the emotional devastation left by her son’s death. Over a year after the incident, Boumzough was finally arrested and charged, aided by a police reward of £20,000 for information leading to his capture.

Evidence played a crucial role in the conviction, including CCTV footage showing Boumzough calmly walking toward the children’s play area before firing a shot. Additional footage revealed him attempting to shoot another man, only to be foiled when his gun jammed, leading to his escape. Investigators also discovered a video on Boumzough’s phone where he rapped about the gun malfunction, saying, “Don’t you hate it when your ting jams? I was prepared to take soul, but Allah had a different plan.” The judge remarked on Boumzough’s lack of remorse, highlighting that the defendant appeared “proud and boastful” about his violent actions. Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, who led the investigation, thanked those who supported the inquiry by providing statements and attending court, helping to ensure that this dangerous individual would no longer pose a threat to the community

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