Man, 33, is found guilty over shooting of girl, nine, outside Turkish restaurant in Dalston in botched gangland assassination
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Forensic officers conducting a search outside the restaurant after the shooting in May 2024
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Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Burglar shot and killed by mother protecting her baby during home invasion is identified - and his past is terrifying
A burglar shot and killed by a mother as she hid her baby in a closet during a home invasion was a serial criminal who'd only recently been freed from jail. Shelby Hurd, 36, died last Tuesday after being blasted in the head with a bullet while entering the unidentified mother's home in Joliet, Illinois. Patch reported that Hurd was only freed on parole in February this year over a slew of previous burglary convictions. In 2024, he pleaded guilty to two separate burglary incidents that took place 10 days apart in March 2022. Hurd was sentenced to four years with 170 days credit for time served. It is unclear how he ended up being freed back onto the streets in early 2025. The burglar also spent previous stints behind bars over 2019 charges for burglary of a vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle and being a felon in possession of a weapon. His Facebook profile contained numerous disturbing posts, including one shortly after his release from prison earlier this year where he said: 'Sacrificed my peace and sleep. 'I did some sh (sic) you couldn't imagine.' Another post made in April 2023 - before Hurd's most recent incarceration - said: 'I'm from the streets… Better look both ways before you cross me.' Hurd's final burglary saw him break into the home of the woman - who he did not know - around 10:30pm on Tuesday August 12. He was wearing gloves and carrying a screwdriver, police say. The mother who was in the house realized it was being broken into and rushed to an upstairs bedroom with her newborn. She placed the infant in a closet to try and keep them safe just as Hurd burst into that room. The mom opened fire and shot Hurd in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Last week's horror took place on a peaceful suburban street whose large homes are surrounded by greenery. Joliet sits around 40 miles southwest of Chicago. The city's downtown area is known to have a crime problem, but the burglary took place about seven miles west in a very quiet area. Joliet Police said an investigation into the burglary and shooting was ongoing. They said the mother who shot and killed Hurd was cooperating fully. Many commenters on Joliet Police Department's Facebook post about the shooting hailed the mother, with one even calling for her to be granted the freedom of the city. Illinois does not have a 'stand your ground' law, with locals encouraged to try and retreat before using deadly force. But exceptions apply - including during a home invasion such as the one that unfolded last week.
Daily Record
27 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Man guilty over gang shooting of young girl amid brutal turf war
The child, who was hit in the head by one of six bullets, was an innocent victim of a bloody rivalry between Turkish gangs. A man has been found guilty over the shooting of a nine-year-old girl outside a restaurant in a long-running gang feud. The girl was hit in the head by one of six bullets fired by a man on a passing motorbike as she sat with her family in the Evin Restaurant in Kingsland High Street, Hackney, on May 29 last year. The young child was an innocent victim of a bloody rivalry between Turkish gangs of north London. Three men who were sitting at a nearby table were also struck and injured, the Old Bailey was told. On Monday, Javon Riley, 33, from Tottenham, north London, was found guilty of causing grievous harm with intent to the nine-year-old girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons. Riley was also found guilty of attempting to murder Mustafa Kiziltan, 35, Kenan Aydogdu, 45 and Nasser Ali, 44. The three men were said to be affiliated with the Hackney Turks organised crime gang, who had a rivalry with the Tottenham Turks, with whom Riley had links, the court heard. The court was told that Mr Aydogdu had been injured in a previous shooting. The gunman has not been caught, but jurors were told Riley had played a 'key role' before, during and after the shooting. He had carried out reconnaissance of the restaurant before the attack, scouted for potential targets and drove the gunman away in a stolen car, which was later burnt out. The Old Bailey jury deliberated for six hours and three minutes to convict Riley by a majority of 10 to two. Judge Mark Lucraft KC remanded Riley into custody to be sentenced on September 12. He told him to expect a lengthy prison sentence, saying: 'You have clearly taken part in a shooting which has led to four people being injured, one of them particularly seriously.' The nine-year-old girl spent three months in hospital and will suffer with life-long physical and cognitive problems as the bullet remains lodged in her brain. The three male victims received gunshot wounds to the arm, leg and thigh. In a statement, the girl's mother said: 'In a single moment, the future we had imagined for our daughter was torn away. 'She was once an energetic, adventurous child — everything that celebrated movement, energy, and life. 'Now, weakness on her left side means she can only watch from the sidelines, living with a titanium plate in her skull and a bullet still in her brain. 'As parents, we are shattered, emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially. 'Each day brings new challenges, from her slower growth on one side to the emotional and mental scars that cannot be seen. 'The world we once believed was safe for our child now feels frightening and uncertain. 'This was not just an accident — even if our daughter was not the intended target, those responsible were still attempting to take lives. 'It is brutal and inhumane. 'We live with this pain every day, knowing nothing will ever be the same for our family.' Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway, who led the investigation, said: 'Javon Riley's actions traumatically altered the trajectory of a little girl's life. While this outcome serves as a slither of justice, the dangerous individual responsible for pulling the trigger remains on our streets. 'Those who ordered this shooting are a highly sophisticated criminal organisation. We understand that people may be worried about talking to us because of this, but it is imperative we hear from anyone who can assist this investigation. 'Justice must be secured for this little girl and her family.' Scotland Yard has offered a reward of up to £15,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest of and prosecution the man who fired the weapon. During the three-week trial, Riley was repeatedly asked to identify the 'third party' who had recruited him for around £40,000. He refused to name the man or help to identify the gunman, claiming he feared for his life at that of his family. He had admitted carrying out reconnaissance, spotting for targets and picking up the gunman, but claimed he thought it was going to be a 'smash and grab' robbery. He initially denied the gunman had said anything about what had happened when he picked him up. But later he admitted the man told him: ' Shots have been fired. I need to get out of here.' The court heard Jamaica-born Riley had a string of convictions dating back to 2008 including for possession of cannabis and cocaine, driving offences, and having an offensive weapon and a blade in his car. In his evidence, he admitted being involved with stealing cars, drug dealing and robberies, although he said he had never been caught for those offences. Riley's connection with the Tottenham Turks gang was revealed in covert police recordings in the months after the shooting. He was recorded talking about a man called Izzet Eren who was shot in Moldova on July 10 last year in what was believed to be a revenge attack.
The Independent
29 minutes ago
- The Independent
Second trial in killing of rapper Young Dolph starts in Memphis
The trial of a man charged with organizing the daytime ambush killing of rapper Young Dolph at a Memphis bakery in November 2021 began on Monday. Hernandez Govan, 45, was indicted on first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted murder charges about a year after Young Dolph was killed. Prosecutors have accused him of organizing the fatal shooting. Young Dolph, whose legal name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was a rapper, independent label owner and producer who grew up in Memphis and was admired in the city for his charitable works. The 36-year-old was in his hometown to hand out Thanksgiving turkeys to families when his visit to his favorite cookie shop turned into an attack that shocked the entertainment world. Govan is charged with conspiring with Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith Jr. to kill Young Dolph. Johnson was convicted of first-degree murder in September 2024 and the same day, sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. He was later sentenced for his two other convictions from the trial: conspiracy to commit murder and being a felon in possession of a gun. During the trial, Smith testified that rapper Yo Gotti's brother, Anthony 'Big Jook' Mims, had put out a $100,000 hit on Young Dolph as well as bounties on all the artists at Young Dolph's record label, Paper Route Empire. Smith said he and Johnson were 'looking for somebody' and 'didn't know who we were going to catch.' They knew that Young Dolph and some of the artists on his label were participating in the turkey giveaway, so they were heading in that direction when they saw Young Dolph's car. They followed him to the cookie shop and opened fire in broad daylight, Smith said. Young Dolph was hit 22 times and died at the scene. At the earlier trials, prosecutor Paul Hagerman told trial jurors that Cocaine Muzik Group (now known as Collective Music Group), a rival record label founded by Yo Gotti, wanted Young Dolph to work for them, but he turned them down. Young Dolph later wrote diss tracks directed at the label, its artists and its 'No. 2 person,' Big Jook. Big Jook was shot and killed outside a restaurant earlier this year. Smith testified he received $800 before he was arrested and his defense attorney later received another $50,000. In addition to Smith's testimony, prosecutors presented a large amount of circumstantial evidence, including from surveillance cameras and Johnson's cellphone. The evidence includes calls between Smith and Johnson shortly before the killing and a call between Johnson and Big Jook immediately after. Smith is also charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder and has pleaded not guilty. A trial date has not been set for him. Jermarcus Johnson, who pleaded guilty in June 2023 to three counts of serving as an accessory after the killing, acknowledged helping his half-brother and Smith communicate by cellphone while they were on the run from authorities. He was sentenced to six years' probation in 2024. Young Dolph began his career by releasing numerous mixtapes. His studio albums include his 2016 debut, 'King of Memphis.' He also collaborated on other mixtapes and albums with fellow rappers Key Glock, Megan Thee Stallion, T.I., Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz and others. Young Dolph had three albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200, with 2020′s 'Rich Slave' peaking at No. 4. In a 2024 interview with The Associated Press, Carlisa Brown, Young Dolph's sister, called her brother's killing a 'very senseless murder' and added that his family wants everyone involved to get the justice they deserve. ___ Travis Loller contributed from Nashville, Tenn.
