Mahad Gouled one of four found guilty of two murders and two attempted murders after shooting spree in Ilford house

An Enfield man is one of four men convicted of two murders at a house in East London where at least 41 shots were fired.

A Met Police investigation into the murders of Saydi Abu Sheikh and Zakariya Jeilani Mohamed has led to a total of five men being convicted yesterday (Wednesday 17th) at the Old Bailey.

The two victims – Saydi Abu Sheikh, aged 23, and Zakariya Jeilani Mohamed, aged 32 – were fatally shot inside a house in Ilford in October 2022. Detectives used DNA analysis and other technical and forensic techniques to identify and arrest the suspects.

Four men were convicted of two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and perverting the course of justice. They are Ayaani Ali Adan, aged 20, of East Street, Barking; Zain Mirza, aged 21, of Third Avenue, Newham; Mahad Gouled, aged 22, of Charles Street, Enfield; and Chibiuke Ohanweh, aged 21, of Heath Park Road, Romford.

A fifth man, Zakarie Mohamed, aged 19, of Kensal Rise, Kensington, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. He was found not guilty of two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. All five will be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, 23rd January.

Police were called at 12.16am on 25th October to reports of a shooting inside a house in Henley Road, Ilford. Saydi and Zakariya died at the scene, while two other men were found suffering injuries; both were taken to hospital for treatment before being discharged.

Detectives established that a vehicle found on fire in Ronnie Lane, near to the murder scene, was linked to the fatal shootings. Burnt clothing inside the vehicle contained Saydi’s DNA.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Wood led the investigation and said: “The three men who entered the house were identified through forensic examination of the recovered clothing as Adan, Gouled and Ohanweh. Each was armed with a gun and at least 41 shots were fired inside the house.

“Zain Mirza facilitated the murder. He was linked to the gunmen after extensive police enquiries established that a rented address in Durham Road, Manor Park had been used as a base to plan the murder.

“It is believed he planned the fatal attack as he understood at least one person present at the Henley Road address was in some way connected to the murder of his brother.

“My thoughts are with the families of Saydi and Zakariya. As much as it was crucial to identify the reckless and callous individuals responsible for these brutal killings to safeguard the community, I am also pleased that both families were able to see justice done with these convictions.”

Update (23rd January):

Gouled has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 38 years, along with the three others convicted of murder. Mohamed was sentenced to four years.

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