Two young drill rappers have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a teenager in a drive-by shooting in London that stemmed from a social media dispute.

Keanu Harker, 18, was fatally shot in the head and chest by Emmanuel Popoola while being chased through Enfield, north London. Popoola, riding as a passenger on an electric dirt bike driven by Teyvon Etefia, known as Take Risks, carried out the shooting.

The incident occurred within the context of ongoing violent clashes between two rival gangs in Enfield, the 3×3 gang, and the Get Money Gang (GMG). The fatal shooting was triggered by a Snapchat argument where messages insinuated that Popoola could not afford mobile data.

After the murder, the perpetrators glorified their actions in drill rap videos. Popoola and Etefia, both residents of Enfield, were convicted of murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, receiving life sentences with a minimum term of 28 years.

During sentencing, Judge Anthony Leonard KC emphasized that the victim’s affiliation with a rival gang did not justify his murder. He noted the personal nature of the killing, driven by Popoola’s desire for retribution over comments made on a public platform.

Another drill rapper, Eliezer Mbaki, known as Spider, received a sentence of four years and nine months for obstructing justice. The court heard how the defendants pursued Harker on an e-bike before the fatal shooting, leaving him fatally injured on the road.

Witnesses discovered Harker’s body, leading to the arrest of the perpetrators who attempted to flee to France. Popoola managed to reach Paris, but was apprehended with the help of his girlfriend, who was later arrested for aiding a criminal. Both Popoola and Etefia denied involvement in the shooting during the trial.

In a heartfelt statement, Harker’s mother expressed her grief, highlighting the loss of her son and condemning the senseless violence driven by territorial disputes. The victim’s father echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Harker’s value and the tragedy of his untimely death.

Addressing the defendants in court, a relative of the victim accused them of taking a life unjustly for the sake of gang rivalry. Additional individuals involved in obstructing justice are awaiting sentencing at a later date.