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Video: Youth guilty of crossfire murder
Guilty of murder: Armel Gnango
Guilty of murder: Armel Gnango

A 17-YEAR-OLD boy has been found guilty of a Polish care worker's murder in a "Wild West" gunfight.

On October 2 last year Armel Gnango, from Brixton, traded shots with another youth across a housing estate car park in a pre-arranged shoot-out over a debt.

Magda Pniewska, 26, died instantly from a bullet to the head as she was walking home from the BUPA Manley Court Nursing Home where she worked, in John Williams Close, New Cross.

She was talking on her mobile to her sister Elzbieta Luby, 36, who heard her "last breath" as she slumped to the floor.

The teenager was convicted of murder by a jury today (May 22), despite not firing the fatal shot, because he was "criminally responsible'" for her death.

The Crown Prosecution Service has described the verdict as "unprecedented".

He was also convicted of attempting to murder the other youth and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The second youth, also 17, who opened fire has so far not been charged because of a lack of evidence, the court heard.

Killed: Magda Pniewska
Killed: Magda Pniewska

The two youths met in John Williams Close, both armed with 9mm handguns, to settle a row over a debt thought to be less than £100.

Prosecuting, Brian Altman told the Old Bailey: "That two youths were engaged in a gunfight in public where a wholly innocent member of the public going about her business was shot dead in the crossfire is a terrible indictment of our times."

He added: "She hadn't been the intended target of that bullet, but in scenes reminiscent of the Wild West, Magda was to become the innocent victim of a gunfight between two young men who were total strangers to her.

"She was simply in the wrong place, at the wrong time."

Gnango denied the murder, attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life charges but had admitted possession of a prohibited firearm before the trial started.

He will be sentenced on June 23.

  • Video: Police reaction to verdict - click here

    Mother's loss

    In a court statement Miss Pniewska's mother Barbara spoke of the effect her daughter's loss had on her family and the community in Brzeg, Poland.

    She said: "Our family has lost someone who has left such a void which will never be filled.

    "No joy or happiness will fill the sorrow and emptiness left by Magda's loss."

    She added: "From the moment of her death not a day passes when we are not thinking of her and grieving her loss.

    "We are still waiting for her phone call, her warm smile, her knock at the door.

    "But hope has been overtaken by the reality that she will never be with us again.

    "My child's life has been untimely cut short and the ray of sunshine that was Magda has gone from the family."

    Investigation will go on

    Detective Chief Inspector Tony Boughton said afterwards that the investigation would continue.

    He said: "My first thoughts, at this time, go to the family of Magda and her boyfriend Radek who have had to deal with the tragic and brutal murder of Magda.

    "The family has remained dignified in their loss and are a credit to the memory of Magda.

    "I would like to take this opportunity to thank those from our community who have come to court to give evidence.

    "Finally, the investigation into Magda's murder is not over. Detectives from Operation Trident will continue to gather evidence against a young man we have been told was seen firing a gun at the top of the steps, in order to bring him to justice.

    "If anyone has information that may assist us can they please ring the incident room on 020 8247 4553 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous."

    3:44pm Thursday 22nd May 2008

       

    Related Links
    Magda murder 'has not changed youth crime'
    Care worker was innocent victim of gunfight
    Youth 'did not know' care worker was shot
    Print   Email this   Comment
    Posted by: michelle, at home on 12:21pm Thu 22 May 08
    Good riddance to bad rubbish lets hope the scentence fits the crime - a life for a life
    Posted by: j, bromley on 1:14pm Thu 22 May 08
    Magda: What a lovely smiley face now sadly lacking from our world.Yet another teenage misfit from the baggy jean brigade.

    Sadly these low life gang types are wrecking our world.

    Anyone any ideas how to eradicate them?
    Posted by: Sam, Welling on 1:37pm Thu 22 May 08
    j wrote:
    Magda: What a lovely smiley face now sadly lacking from our world.Yet another teenage misfit from the baggy jean brigade. Sadly these low life gang types are wrecking our world. Anyone any ideas how to eradicate them?
    Send back the ones that dont belong here.

    The ones that do, need to be locked away for a very long time.

    Michelle, I know where your coming from but "An eye for an eye makes the world a very blind place".

    Although we have alot of scum inside prison, we sometimes we have the innocent being convicted too.
    Posted by: Sam, Welling on 1:39pm Thu 22 May 08
    Added an extra "we" there. Sorry.
    Posted by: Ally, LONDON on 2:02pm Thu 22 May 08
    j wrote:
    Magda: What a lovely smiley face now sadly lacking from our world.Yet another teenage misfit from the baggy jean brigade. Sadly these low life gang types are wrecking our world. Anyone any ideas how to eradicate them?
    Yeah
    Start by charging the other teenager who also fired his gun, how can he NOT be charged? These judges either have their hands tied by stupid laws or are the most moronic people in Britain. I know they dont do the charging but they give out these paltry sentences. Who will volunteer a penny a week more tax to lock these bastrds up for ever, I WLL>
    Posted by: GOD, UP ERE on 2:05pm Thu 22 May 08
    Sam wrote:
    j wrote: Magda: What a lovely smiley face now sadly lacking from our world.Yet another teenage misfit from the baggy jean brigade. Sadly these low life gang types are wrecking our world. Anyone any ideas how to eradicate them?
    Send back the ones that dont belong here. The ones that do, need to be locked away for a very long time. Michelle, I know where your coming from but "An eye for an eye makes the world a very blind place". Although we have alot of scum inside prison, we sometimes we have the innocent being convicted too.
    Send em back where, you muppet, he was probably born here, you are part of the problem you know. Dont bother answering cos Ive heard the non argument before.
    Posted by: Trudy, Brixton on 2:10pm Thu 22 May 08
    Leave im alone he no not wot he do
    he woz difendin imself thats all
    Posted by: Sasha, Bromley on 2:19pm Thu 22 May 08
    Trudy wrote:
    Leave im alone he no not wot he do he woz difendin imself thats all
    Are you for real?? What kind of an idiot are you? Defending himself? He killed an innocent woman. Would you still be saying leave him alone if it was one of your family he had killed.
    Posted by: Lizzielooloo on 2:24pm Thu 22 May 08
    Trudy wrote:
    Leave im alone he no not wot he do he woz difendin imself thats all
    O that's ok then.

    What a pathetic stupid comment. I thank god you live in Brixton you stupid girl and not near me.

    Also I think your comment should have read like this:
    Leave him alone he know not what he do
    he was defending himself that’s all


    English, not really a hard language to master is it??
    Posted by: Sam, Welling on 2:26pm Thu 22 May 08
    GOD wrote:
    Sam wrote:
    j wrote: Magda: What a lovely smiley face now sadly lacking from our world.Yet another teenage misfit from the baggy jean brigade. Sadly these low life gang types are wrecking our world. Anyone any ideas how to eradicate them?
    Send back the ones that dont belong here. The ones that do, need to be locked away for a very long time. Michelle, I know where your coming from but "An eye for an eye makes the world a very blind place". Although we have alot of scum inside prison, we sometimes we have the innocent being convicted too.
    Send em back where, you muppet, he was probably born here, you are part of the problem you know. Dont bother answering cos Ive heard the non argument before.
    I think you need to learn how to read and diggest comments before posting replys.

    If you had of done you would see that I didnt mention anything about him being illegal. I wrote;

    "Send back the ones that dont belong here".

    "The ones that do, need to be locked away for a very long time".

    Happy now you've read things correctly.
    Posted by: Sophia, London on 2:28pm Thu 22 May 08
    Trudy - he was defending himself? Ok - what about the poor woman who just happened to be passing and got shot dead? How was she able to defend herself? He went out with the sole intention of harming someone, why else would someone carry a gun? Well, he has been found guilty of murder, let's see how he will defend himself in prison, what with all the crazy fruit loops in there.
    Posted by: Locked and Loaded on 2:32pm Thu 22 May 08
    Trudy go back to the cave you neanderthal.
    Posted by: GOD, UPERE on 2:33pm Thu 22 May 08
    Sam wrote:
    GOD wrote:
    Sam wrote:
    j wrote: Magda: What a lovely smiley face now sadly lacking from our world.Yet another teenage misfit from the baggy jean brigade. Sadly these low life gang types are wrecking our world. Anyone any ideas how to eradicate them?
    Send back the ones that dont belong here. The ones that do, need to be locked away for a very long time. Michelle, I know where your coming from but "An eye for an eye makes the world a very blind place". Although we have alot of scum inside prison, we sometimes we have the innocent being convicted too.
    Send em back where, you muppet, he was probably born here, you are part of the problem you know. Dont bother answering cos Ive heard the non argument before.
    I think you need to learn how to read and diggest comments before posting replys. If you had of done you would see that I didnt mention anything about him being illegal. I wrote; "Send back the ones that dont belong here". "The ones that do, need to be locked away for a very long time". Happy now you've read things correctly.
    its digest moron...... If this guy is legally here(as you so eloquently put it)WHATS YOUR POINT???? I knew you would put forward a half thought argument in pigeon english. Like I said dont bother answering my posts because they are for grown ups or people who can write.
    Posted by: Trudy, Brixton on 2:33pm Thu 22 May 08
    it woz in acidant he did not meen it he woz difendin imself
    Posted by: Sam, Welling on 2:42pm Thu 22 May 08
    "grown ups" Do you know mean adults.

    And, "english". Do you mean English.

    Sorry, you were saying?

    And how exactly am I part of the problem?
    Posted by: GOD AGAIN, UP ERE on 2:50pm Thu 22 May 08
    Sam wrote:
    "grown ups" Do you know mean adults. And, "english". Do you mean English. Sorry, you were saying? And how exactly am I part of the problem?
    And that M`Lud rests the case for the prosecution.

    I Thank you
    Posted by: Sophia, London on 2:51pm Thu 22 May 08
    Trudy - whether he did not mean to kill an innocent woman, (or not), he should not have been carrying a gun and should not have used it, end of story. Put it this way, had he not been shooting up the place he would not have killed an innocent victim and he would not be going to prison. He will now go to prison and enjoy the hospitality of all the other scumbags that are in there.
    Posted by: mt on 2:55pm Thu 22 May 08
    I think Trudy is winding u up ... oh well another tossa off the street - shame we paying for it tho.
    Posted by: Lizzielooloo on 2:58pm Thu 22 May 08
    Trudy wrote:
    it woz in acidant he did not meen it he woz difendin imself
    Trudy darling, do yourself a favour, enrol in an English Language course at your local college. Then your posts might actually be taken seriously.

    I am sure Magda’s family will be so relieved that it was only an accident as he was defending himself. Seriously get a life!

    He deserves to be locked up for a very very long time.
    Posted by: Me, Here on 3:02pm Thu 22 May 08
    GOD AGAIN wrote:
    Sam wrote: "grown ups" Do you know mean adults. And, "english". Do you mean English. Sorry, you were saying? And how exactly am I part of the problem?
    And that M`Lud rests the case for the prosecution. I Thank you
    Wow, and people think Trudy has problems.

    Posted by: Trudy, Brixton on 3:04pm Thu 22 May 08
    i only speek english short time
    Posted by: A Mum, Home on 3:05pm Thu 22 May 08
    GOD wrote:
    Sam wrote:
    j wrote: Magda: What a lovely smiley face now sadly lacking from our world.Yet another teenage misfit from the baggy jean brigade. Sadly these low life gang types are wrecking our world. Anyone any ideas how to eradicate them?
    Send back the ones that dont belong here. The ones that do, need to be locked away for a very long time. Michelle, I know where your coming from but "An eye for an eye makes the world a very blind place". Although we have alot of scum inside prison, we sometimes we have the innocent being convicted too.
    Send em back where, you muppet, he was probably born here, you are part of the problem you know. Dont bother answering cos Ive heard the non argument before.
    And you call youself "God".

    You really do need to get a life.

    RIP Magda.
    Posted by: Danny, London on 3:06pm Thu 22 May 08
    Trudy wrote:
    i only speek english short time
    Are you not in your own country then?
    Posted by: Trudy, Brixton on 3:08pm Thu 22 May 08
    no i is from diferant place
    Posted by: lizzielooloo on 3:12pm Thu 22 May 08
    Trudy wrote:
    no i is from diferant place
    All the more reason to take an English course, especially if you insist on commenting on a news site, as no one can really take your comments seriously.

    I hope your family never have to identify your murdered body because “someone was defending himself”, like poor Magda’s family had to.
    Posted by: ben, bromley on 3:31pm Thu 22 May 08
    Such a shame when an innocnet person gets caught up in an act of terror. The world would be a better place if both the youths managed to shoot eachother in the head at the same time and take eachothers life! Anyone caught carrying a knife or a gun should be automatically locked up for 15 years. As a country we're not tough enough on violent crime. How many deaths in London this year? It's a travesty that our country which was build on values such as trust and respect is vanishing down the toilet due to foreign immigrants who run riot in our City! Black crime is on the up? Not a coincidence!
    Posted by: j, bromley on 3:39pm Thu 22 May 08
    ben wrote:
    Such a shame when an innocnet person gets caught up in an act of terror. The world would be a better place if both the youths managed to shoot eachother in the head at the same time and take eachothers life! Anyone caught carrying a knife or a gun should be automatically locked up for 15 years. As a country we\'re not tough enough on violent crime. How many deaths in London this year? It\'s a travesty that our country which was build on values such as trust and respect is vanishing down the toilet due to foreign immigrants who run riot in our City! Black crime is on the up? Not a coincidence!
    Well said Ben.

    I cant get my head round the problems we have.
    To think we survived 2 world wars.We seem to be losing badly thanks to a few pathetic useless teenagers.
    Posted by: andy, erith on 5:11pm Thu 22 May 08
    so he was defending himself,did he always carry a gun around with him.another peice of scum of our streets,but for how long?.
    Posted by: Pinkerbell, Sydenham on 5:58pm Thu 22 May 08
    Trudy - Defending him self or not a very inocent young lady was killed and this kind off crime has to stop as it is happening far to often.

    These gangs really need to be stoped my sister and I have been mugged at knife point, (slightly off the subject i No) these scum need to be stopped to may inocent people are being hurt or killed.
    Posted by: Sad to be British on 6:43pm Thu 22 May 08
    Obviously we have no death penalty in this country and I cant see it ever coming back due to the human rights act amongst other things so whats the alternative?, lock them up for a while and then just let them out!

    Am I the only person in this God dammed country that thinks maybe we should treat them in a military type way ie: wake them up at the crack of dawn and put them through their paces, teach them the hard way then once their time is up send them off to war to work with REAL men and women.

    Posted by: Worker, . on 8:05pm Thu 22 May 08
    What a load of scum we have walking our streets nowadays.

    Posted by: pete beat, Kent on 8:12pm Thu 22 May 08
    Another worthless piece of scum lives in prison at our expence. Hang him now, one less low life for us to worry about.
    Pray for that poor girls mum.
    Posted by: pete beat, kent on 8:15pm Thu 22 May 08
    Trudy wrote:
    Leave im alone he no not wot he do he woz difendin imself thats all
    please go and find another country to live in. One where your low values and even lower morales can co habit with all the scum, you so want to defend.
    Posted by: Steph, Bexleyheath on 8:23pm Thu 22 May 08
    Unfortunately, this scum bag killer is probably now enjoying a colour TV and a playstation in his cell. This is madness.
    Posted by: Locked and Loaded on 10:35pm Thu 22 May 08
    sensibleguy, Lewisham Borough

    I hope he gets 40 years, then if he gives up the scum who did fire the fatal shot perhaps we could cut it to 30 years. He was involved, end of story.
    Posted by: genie on 11:08am Fri 23 May 08
    behave all of you this Trudi is not for real and is a total wind up. Lets get serious about all this as this poor young life was wasted by scum bags who deserve to get life but lets face it will only get 10 MAX. And then will be let loose again on the streets of London.
    Posted by: trudy, brixton on 11:43am Fri 23 May 08
    peopil hav guns to keep dem safe
    Posted by: not good, London on 11:51am Fri 23 May 08
    Lets hope everyday in jail is a bad one for this loser...June 23, the day he will learn how long his backside is used for a door stop..I really hope he doesn't make it back out...
    Posted by: not good, London on 11:51am Fri 23 May 08
    Lets hope everyday in jail is a bad one for this loser...June 23, the day he will learn how long his backside is used for a door stop..I really hope he doesn't make it back out...
    Posted by: Brixton Boy, Brixton on 11:58am Fri 23 May 08
    Trudy...the good thing here is...everyone thinks you're a loser like your home boy...if guns keep you safe, then how come so many young waste of space kids are dying holding them ?? I see it everyday in scumville...you need your tubes tied to stop you producing another little scumbag shooter !!!!
    Posted by: Pink Kitten, London on 12:13pm Fri 23 May 08
    We have said it before and will continue to say it over again if these people thought that they would be swinging from a rope if they killed someone then maybe they would think twice about it.
    The PC brigade have tried ' to understand and help' these people and it DOES NOT WORK! So let's try a different approach hang someone for murder and let's see what a difference that would make.

    I'm sure they would think twice before walking around with a gun or a knife then.

    And I'm also sure that these low life parents who do nothing to stop their kids becoming out of control would soon pull their socks up if they though they would see their precious little darling hung by his neck!

    Tough love is what is needed!
    Posted by: Locked and Loaded on 12:41pm Fri 23 May 08
    PK you are so right. We have tried the softly softly way, and it don't work. Give the police more power, more stop and search. Fully armed. I bet if the police shot a few of these types of scum the parents would start to take some responsibilty. The only people who seem to object to stop and search are minorities. They have a choice, if you don't like it leave. That applies to everyone across board.
    Posted by: anita, dartford on 1:56pm Fri 23 May 08
    I think Trudy from Brixton is winding everybody up. If not she is the lowest, thickest scum bag that I have heard on this site for a long time. To say guns keep you safe, me thinks shes been playing too much Vice City game. Her parents must be really proud of her for her stupid ignorant attitude. God I hope you dont breed another one like her on the street is dangerous. People like her should have an operation so they dont breed.It's not big, it's not clever and it don't keep you safe to have a gun you stupid little girl.
    Posted by: Salad, . on 2:32pm Fri 23 May 08
    Pink Kitten wrote:
    We have said it before and will continue to say it over again if these people thought that they would be swinging from a rope if they killed someone then maybe they would think twice about it. The PC brigade have tried ' to understand and help' these people and it DOES NOT WORK! So let's try a different approach hang someone for murder and let's see what a difference that would make. I'm sure they would think twice before walking around with a gun or a knife then. And I'm also sure that these low life parents who do nothing to stop their kids becoming out of control would soon pull their socks up if they though they would see their precious little darling hung by his neck! Tough love is what is needed!
    Absolutely Kitten. Innocent people are losing their lives due to the PC hang wringers, who as you say try to understand these sub humans.

    We should have a referendum on capital punishment now.

    Posted by: truthman, london on 2:56pm Fri 23 May 08
    Because of their low intelligence these people actually believe their behaviour is normal. Until we find a cure for low intelligence, this problem will never go away.
    Posted by: Pink Kitten, London on 3:08pm Fri 23 May 08
    Dear Truthman

    I don't think it takes a lot of brain cells to understand you kill, you will be killed!
    It's a very simple concept and history shows that even when people were uncivilised and uneducated they understood this concept very well!
    Posted by: Anon, Lewisham on 10:48pm Fri 23 May 08
    oh dear, why is it that so many of you are espousing the same attitudes as this young killer? - the tit-for-tat violent revenges get none of us to a safer community.
    You talk of intelligence, I'm sorry but I see little evidence of it in the comments here, try thinking instead of just reacting with aggression.
    Posted by: Sad to be British on 10:57pm Fri 23 May 08
    Anon wrote:
    oh dear, why is it that so many of you are espousing the same attitudes as this young killer? - the tit-for-tat violent revenges get none of us to a safer community. You talk of intelligence, I'm sorry but I see little evidence of it in the comments here, try thinking instead of just reacting with aggression.
    Get a grip and jump down from your PC soap box!

    The point we people are trying to make is if these animals that go out armed and dangerous realise that when caught and found guilty of their crimes face the "Death penalty" they will obviously think twice about carrying guns, knives and any other dangerous objects in the first place!

    They are pure cowards and dont need idiots like you defending them.

    Pink Kitten for once lol I actually agree with you!
    Posted by: Fred, Lee on 1:02pm Sat 24 May 08
    Trudy wrote:
    it woz in acidant he did not meen it he woz difendin imself
    You really should have been aborted.Learn to spell,then go and get sterelized.
    Posted by: Hunter, Osaka on 1:08pm Sat 24 May 08
    ben wrote:
    Such a shame when an innocnet person gets caught up in an act of terror. The world would be a better place if both the youths managed to shoot eachother in the head at the same time and take eachothers life! Anyone caught carrying a knife or a gun should be automatically locked up for 15 years. As a country we're not tough enough on violent crime. How many deaths in London this year? It's a travesty that our country which was build on values such as trust and respect is vanishing down the toilet due to foreign immigrants who run riot in our City! Black crime is on the up? Not a coincidence!
    This country was founded on piracy, war and barbarianism. You sir are an idiot.
    Posted by: abs, stockwell on 7:51pm Sun 25 May 08
    how could this be murder if he didn't firing the fatal shot. has the law change since time.
    murder is when somebody kills a other person. did he kill anyone.this is not murder its something else
    Posted by: michael, deptford on 2:56pm Mon 2 Jun 08
    andy wrote:
    so he was defending himself,did he always carry a gun around with him.another peice of scum of our streets,but for how long?.
    Armel did not kill the woman...it was the other guy named tishan done it any the dumb police released him on bailed. the police don't know anything.
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