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Men appear in court charge over shooting of Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson

A Kent man has appeared in court charged with conspiracy to murder after a black equal rights campaigner was shot in the head.

Well-known Black Lives Matter (BLM) campaigner Sasha Johnson, was critically injured in Peckham during the early hours of Sunday, May 23, and remains in a serious condition in hospital.

Sasha Johnson. Picture: PA
Sasha Johnson. Picture: PA

Today 25-year-old Prince Dixon, who was arrested during the early hours of Wednesday morning in Gravesend, appeared at Bromley Magistrates' Court

Troy Reid, 19, of Southwark has also been charged with conspiracy to murder and also appeared.

Nahiedh Khan, prosecuting, said: "This is a very serious matter.

"The incident occurred on Sunday, May 23, at 2.57am.

"Police were called to a house party following reports of a shooting.

"A man was shot in the leg and a female was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.

"They were having a 30th birthday in the back garden of a house in a large marquee.

"There were large security fences that had funnelled partygoers to a security team who had a wand to check for weapons."

She added: "The party involved a silent disco and all partygoers were wearing headphones. There were around 30 guests.

"Four people gained entry to the party, but were challenged by the security."

No indication of plea was given. Reid and Dixon, wearing grey prison-issued clothing, only spoke to confirm their names, date of birth and address and to say they understood the proceedings.

Magistrate chair Phiroze Neemuchwala said: "You will be remanded in custody until the next hearing.

"You will be produced on June 25 at the Central Criminal Court."

On May 26, five males were arrested in connection with the incident. Four were released on bail until a date in late June.

The fifth, 18-year-old Cameron Deriggs, of Lewisham, was charged with conspiracy to murder. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, May 29 and was remanded in custody. He will next appear at the Old Bailey on June 25.

Devonte Brown, 18, of Southwark, was charged on the evening of Friday, June 11 with conspiracy to murder. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, June 12 and was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on July 7.

Ms Johnson, 27, was shot on Consort Road in south-east London after a group of men opened fire at a party.

She works in activism and community support and got a first in social care at Ruskin College, Oxford.

At the time, The Metropolitan Police said a group of four black men in dark clothing had entered the garden where the party was being held and “discharged a firearm”.

A tent in the garden of a house in Consort Road, as police investigate the shooting of Sasha Johnson. Picture: Kirsty O’Connor/PA
A tent in the garden of a house in Consort Road, as police investigate the shooting of Sasha Johnson. Picture: Kirsty O’Connor/PA

The Met said that Ms Johnson was among around 30 guests at a party in the back garden of a house in Consort Road.

Four other men who were arrested in relation to the shooting have been bailed until later this month.

Two others have already been charged in connection with the investigation.

Banners at King's College Hospital in London wishing Sasha a speedy recovery. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Banners at King's College Hospital in London wishing Sasha a speedy recovery. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Well-wishers have also placed banners up on railings near King's College Hospital in London where Ms Johnson is being treated.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard, who is leading the investigation, said: “The investigation has made significant progress over the last three weeks as evidenced by these latest charges. I’d like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service for their fantastic support in helping us to get to this stage.

“The investigation team have worked tirelessly but we are still struggling with a distinct lack of witnesses.

“I know that there were at least 30 people there on the night Sasha was shot. Someone must have seen or know something that could help us get justice for Sasha and her family.

“Sasha dedicated her life to a cause she cared passionately about and it is disappointing that people do not feel motivated to help.

“Please come forward. If you know something but are concerned about contacting the police, there are ways that the information can be passed to us confidentially.”

Update: Dixon, Deriggs, Reid and Brown will appear at the Old Bailey in November for a plea hearing with a trial date of March next year pencilled in.

Information can be provided to police by calling 101 and providing the reference 1172/23MAY or to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here

Read more: All the latest news from Kent

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