Man jailed after pointing gun at police officer in Woolwich

On Monday, November 3, 2020, at around 3am, a group of people visited a recording studio on Woolwich Church Street and fired three shots at a group, injuring a woman and a man.

Police were called and searched for the offenders who left in a stolen car.

Officers located the vehicle but it failed to stop and crashed into a parked car shortly after.

Five men ran off, leaving behind two magazines containing live ammunition, three large Rambo knives and a machete.

While police officer PC Elwood was chasing one of the suspects - Mucktar Khan - he turned and pointed a handgun at him and his police dog.

Police dog - PD Cruz (image: Met Police)

The officer continued to chase him, and Khan was arrested shortly after by firearms officers in a nearby estate.

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Three others, Myiles Brown, Joshua Fasoro and Don-Juan Newman, were arrested by armed officers hiding nearby.

Myiles Brown (image: Met Police)

The Met’s Trident team, responsible for the investigation of all non-fatal shootings in London, took on the case.

Following a five week trial at Croydon Crown Court the defendants were convicted of the following:

Mucktar Khan, 23, of Tavy Close in Lambeth, who pointed the gun at the police officer, was convicted of possession of a prohibited firearm and additionally convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment.

Myiles Brown, 22, of Cormont Road in Camberwell, was convicted of possession of a prohibited firearm and sentenced to seven years and six months’ imprisonment.

Joshua Fasoro, 21, of Elmington Estate in Southwark, was convicted of possession of a prohibited firearm and a further possession of a prohibited firearm relating to a 2019 matter whereby a revolver was recovered in an electrical cupboard that also contained his DNA sample.

Joshua Fasoro (image: Met Police)

He was sentenced eight years and six months’ imprisonment.

Don-Juan Newman, 23, of Oak Square in Greenwich, was convicted of possession of a prohibited firearm and sentenced to seven years and six months’ imprisonment.

All four were cleared of the attempted murder of the man and woman.

The fifth man was never found but enquiries to trace him continue.

Don-Juan Newman (image: Met Police)

The body worn video footage of the incident was shown as evidence during the trial and PC Elwood supported its release to demonstrate the types of situations police officers can face.

PC Elwood said: “When the gun was pointed directly at my face my instant reaction was to turn away in fear, I thought I was about to be killed.

“However, I continued to chase after them as they are dangerous individuals who needed removing from the streets.

“Had I had not continued to chase after them then they would have got away and still had access to a deadly firearm.

“The presence of two police dogs during this incident was instrumental.

“One of the dogs found a discarded firearm and another played a significant role in capturing one of the suspects.

“I joined the police so I could stop violent and dangerous criminals who pose a risk to society from causing harm to communities and this case is a classic example of that.”

Detective Constable Andy Brackley from Trident said: “The actions of these four men that night were brazen and extremely reckless.

“We don’t believe the two victims shot that night were the intended targets and it is only down to sheer luck that their injuries were not fatal.

“Although both have recovered, they are both still suffering with the long-term health implications caused by their injuries.

“It was the immediate and coordinated response of the officers that night that led to us capturing these dangerous offenders.

“Tackling violence is the Met’s number one priority and our plans are strong, with highly trained and skilled officers responding to incidents when they do occur.

“The footage from the officer’s body worn camera is shocking and displays the bravery and dedication officers can sometimes face.

“PD Cruz was also instrumental that evening in apprehending one of the offenders.”

In the last financial year (2021/22) officers seized 557 lethal firearms from the streets.

The number of shootings has also reduced from 283 in the financial year 2019/20 to 196 in 2021/22.

Investigations into shootings are becoming stronger, with an increase in the number of charges brought for investigations into shootings rising from 20 per cent in 2019/20 to 38 per cent in 2021/22.

All officers wear body worn video cameras in order to protect themselves and the public.

The cameras have the ability to capture evidential video, enriching the qualitative detail of incidents to support the criminal justice process and provide an independent witness in the case of any complaints.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “A police officer who was threatened with a gun while pursuing a dangerous suspect said he feared he would be killed.

“PC Elwood was chasing the gunman on foot after officers were called to a shooting at a recording studio in Woolwich in November 2020.

“Body worn video captured the moment he was threatened and was shown to jurors during the trial of four men for the shooting.

“As they were sentenced today (Thursday, 9 June) to more than 30 years combined, PC Elwood said he is pleased the dangerous offenders are off the streets.

“On Monday, 3 November 2020 at around 03:00hrs the suspects made their way to a recording studio on Woolwich Church Street, SE18 and fired three shots at a group, injuring a woman and a man.

“Police were immediately called and began a fast-time search for the offenders who left in a stolen car.

“Officers from dog support unit located the vehicle - it failed to stop and crashed into a parked car shortly after.

“Five men ran off, leaving behind two magazines containing live ammunition, three large Rambo knives and a machete.

“While PC Elwood was chasing one of the men, Mucktar Khan, he turned and pointed a handgun, a Turkish Retay 9mm semi-automatic, at him and his police dog, PD Cruz.

“The officer continued to chase him and Khan was arrested shortly after by firearms officers in a nearby estate.

“Three others, Myiles Brown, Joshua Fasoro and Don-Juan Newman, were arrested by armed officers hiding nearby.

“The Met’s Trident team, responsible for the investigation of all non-fatal shootings in London, took on the case.

“Following a five week trial at Croydon Crown Court the defendants were convicted of the following:

“- Mucktar Khan - 23 (02.02.99) of Tavy Close, SE11, who pointed the gun at the police officer, was convicted of possession of a prohibited firearm and additionally convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence – he was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment.

“- Myiles Brown - 22 (17.04.00) of Cormont Road, SE5, was convicted of possession of a prohibited firearm and sentenced to seven years and six months’ imprisonment.

“- Joshua Fasoro - 21 (22.09.00) of Elmington Estate, SE5, was convicted of possession of a prohibited firearm and a further possession of a prohibited firearm relating to a 2019 matter whereby a revolver was recovered in an electrical cupboard that also contained his DNA sample. He was sentenced eight years and six months’ imprisonment.

“- Don-Juan Newman – 23 (13.09.98) of Oak Square, SW9, was convicted of possession of a prohibited firearm and sentenced to seven years and six months’ imprisonment.

“All four were acquitted of the attempted murder of the man and woman.

“The fifth man was never found but enquiries to trace him continue.

“In the last financial year (2021/22) officers seized 557 lethal firearms from the streets.

“The number of shootings has also gone down from 283 in the financial year 2019/20 to 196 in 2021/22.

“Investigations into shootings are becoming stronger, with an increase in the number of charges brought for investigations into shootings rising from 20 per cent in 2019/20 to 38 per cent in 2021/22.

“The body worn video footage of the incident was shown as evidence during the trial and PC Elwood supported its release to demonstrate the types of situations police officers can face.

“All officers wear body worn video cameras in order to protect themselves and the public.

“The cameras have the ability to capture evidential video, enriching the qualitative detail of incidents to support the criminal justice process and provide an independent witness in the case of any complaints.”

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