A distraught mum has been left in a state of ‘emotional turmoil’ following the ‘brutal daylight shooting’ of her son last year. Jesse Lloyd-Smith, 20, was found bleeding out by his mum after she heard gunshots ring out in East Surrey Grove, Peckham, on Wednesday, July 10, last year.
Jesse was raced to hospital where he died the next day. A man, also from Southwark has been found guilty of murder.
Gabriel Charles, 19, was found to have driven towards a Peckham alleyway in a silver Ford S-Max. It passed the Damilola Taylor Centre, turned the corner and stopped before he leapt out and pelted towards Jesse.
He fired a gun five times, with one of the bullets causing fatal wounds. Charles fled the country after the killing, but was arrested and charged with murder in November 2024 when he returned.
‘A vibrant young man’
Ty Lloyd-Smith, Jesse’s mum said: “To those responsible for the brutal daylight shooting of my beloved son, I wish to express the overwhelming emotional turmoil our family and friends continue to face. The loss of a vibrant young man, filled with potential and dreams, serves as a heart-breaking reminder of the fragility of life.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the homicide team for their relentless patience, commitment, and dedication in bringing these perpetrators to justice. Their tireless efforts have provided us with a glimmer of hope amidst our pain. Additionally, we are profoundly thankful for the compassion and care given by the London Air Ambulance team during our son's critical time of need. Their quick actions and heartfelt support made a difference in his final moments.
“We urge the community to come together and advocate for a safer environment for our children. Together, we can make a difference. Fighting for justice is not just for our loved ones but for every child in our community who deserves to live without fear. We ask for support in creating initiatives that foster safety, understanding, and compassion.”
‘A mother should never experience the loss of a child’
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila said: “A mother should never experience the loss of a child, particularly as a result of violent crime. Our thoughts remain with Jesse’s family, who have demonstrated unwavering resilience and togetherness over the year and throughout the trial.
“The impact of gun crime is horrific. I hope this conviction acts as a deterrent to anyone considering carrying out acts of extreme violence. Justice will be served.”
Five people charged with perverting the course of justice at The Old Bailey
Abdoul Guene, 18, of Peckham.
Kywan JN Pierre, 18, of Selhurst.
Ben Nguyen, 20, of no fixed address.
Kadjo Kadio, 21, of Romford.
Enver Francis, 22, of Southwark.
A 17-year-old was also charged, but they cannot be identified for legal reasons.
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