The swift response of law enforcement has led to the sentencing of three men involved in a brazen shooting incident that endangered the lives of innocent bystanders in a residential area. The victim, a man in his 30s, was ambushed while standing next to his parked vehicle in New Addington during the evening of May 21, 2025.
According to reports, a black saloon car approached the victim, and one of its passengers exited the vehicle to fire two shots at close range. The victim narrowly escaped serious injury by jumping into the driver’s seat just moments before the attack commenced. The first bullet shattered the windscreen, missing him by inches, while the second shot struck him in the chest as the assailant circled the car.
Despite sustaining life-threatening injuries, the victim managed to survive and has since made a recovery. The sentencing took place at Woolwich Crown Court on July 23, 2026, where the following individuals received their sentences:
- Tevin Nzita, 29, of Warbank Crescent, Croydon: 25 years‘ imprisonment
- Anthony Da Sousa, 30, of Station Approach, Coulsdon: 15 years‘ imprisonment
- Christopher Da Sousa, 27, of Mickleham Way, Croydon: 4 years‘ imprisonment
Detective Constable John Davis, who led the investigation for the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Command, emphasized the severity of the attack, stating,
„This was an incredibly dangerous attack carried out in a residential street where innocent members of the public could easily have been caught in the crossfire. The offenders acted together to locate the victim, track his movements and carry out a planned shooting using a sawn-off shotgun capable of killing. Their actions showed a complete disregard for human life.“
The investigation began shortly after 7:26 PM on the night of the shooting when officers responded to reports of gunfire on Walsh Crescent. Local and armed officers quickly secured the area, while detectives initiated an urgent inquiry to identify the perpetrators. The victim had already been transported to a nearby hospital by the time law enforcement arrived.
During the investigation, officers discovered a mobile phone in the victim’s car, which contained footage of him confronting Tevin Nzita shortly before the shooting. This evidence allowed detectives to identify Nzita as the suspected shooter within hours, establishing that the incident was a targeted act of retaliation.
Extensive CCTV footage was reviewed, revealing the suspects‘ movements before and after the shooting, and providing a comprehensive understanding of how the attack was orchestrated. The investigation confirmed that Nzita fired the shotgun, while Anthony Da Sousa was responsible for driving the getaway vehicle. Christopher Da Sousa played a crucial role in locating the victim and assisting with the attack’s planning.
Phone records indicated that the defendants were in communication at critical moments surrounding the shooting, and location data corroborated their presence at significant sites. Forensic analysis confirmed that a sawn-off double-barrel shotgun was used in the attack.
Following thorough investigative efforts, detectives traced the suspects‘ vehicle to Old Coulsdon, approximately six miles from the shooting scene, where it had been concealed. Investigators determined that Anthony Da Sousa had arranged for repairs to the vehicle and had fitted it with cloned license plates.
Nzita and Anthony Da Sousa were arrested within two weeks of the incident, while Christopher Da Sousa was apprehended in December. Key evidence presented during the trial included video footage captured by the victim, CCTV recordings of the suspects‘ movements, and audio recordings of the gunfire.
In the trial at Woolwich Crown Court, which concluded on June 4, all three defendants were found guilty. Tevin Nzita was convicted of attempted murder, while Anthony Da Sousa was convicted of wounding with intent. Both were also found guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life. Christopher Da Sousa was convicted of encouraging or assisting in the commission of the offenses.
The Metropolitan Police have reiterated their commitment to tackling gun crime, noting that the number of serious violent offenses has decreased by nearly 20 percent over the past 18 months. Additionally, the number of gunshot victims has dropped by 27 percent. Since 2020, gun crime has more than halved, and last year, officers seized 75 percent more firearms than in the previous year. Since 2018, firearms discharges in London have decreased by almost 90 percent, reflecting the ongoing efforts to remove illegal weapons from the streets and hold violent offenders accountable.
Quellen: news.met.police.uk
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