Sam Brown death: Man guilty of murder after park party shooting

A man has been found guilty of murdering another man who was shot during a gathering of about 150 people in an east London park.

On Wednesday, the Old Bailey heard Chase Griffith, 22, from Southgate, fled to St Lucia after the killing.

Sam Brown, 28, from Walthamstow, was injured at Cheney Row Park in Waltham Forest, on 24 July 2022.

He died in hospital from a single gunshot wound to the chest.

The court heard both men attended a party at the park on the evening of 23 July, and a man was stabbed in the early hours of the next morning.

Jurors were told that following the stabbing Griffith produced a firearm and, believing Mr Brown was in some way responsible, shot him in the street.

Mr Brown managed to get into his car and drive a short distance before losing consciousness, and was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries, the court heard.

The Met Police said Griffith fled the scene and travelled home to Southgate, where he disposed of a tracksuit he had been wearing.

Days later, on 27 July, the killer boarded a flight to St Lucia from Gatwick Airport after changing his appearance, including his distinctive hairstyle.

The force said Griffith stayed in Saint Lucia until he was extradited.

In a statement, Mr Brown's family said: "We will never have any closure to what actually happened to our son that night.

"We all have to move on with our lives as we know that's what Sam would want us to do. He will always be our angel and never forgotten."

Det Ch Insp Kelly Allen, who led the Met's investigation, said: "This was a challenging investigation. Although numerous people were at this gathering and many witnessed Griffith shooting Sam, people were reluctant to come forward and speak to police."

Griffith, who was also found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent, will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on a date yet to be confirmed.

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