Teen guilty of murdering budding teenage athlete

A 19-year-old has been found guilty of murdering a budding teenage athlete.

David Nyamupfukudza, from New Cross, south east London, was convicted by a jury at the Old Bailey today of killing Sylvester Akapalara.

The 17-year-old was shot dead in the Pelican Estate in Peckham, south east London in December 2010.

His two friends were stabbed and the attackers also tried to shoot them but the gun jammed.

Mr Akapalara was an aspiring athlete and was a member of Herne Hill Harriers.

Nyamupfukudza had already faced trial for the murder but jurors failed to reach a verdict. He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey tomorrow.

Another man, Sodiq Adeojo, 20, is already serving 30 years for Mr Akapalara's murder.

DI Matt Gosling said: "I am pleased with today's verdict which will see Nyamupfukudza also jailed for a long time. Sylvester was brutally gunned down and murdered in the most callous way and it is only because the gun jammed that his two friends were not shot too.

"The Trident Gang Command will pursue relentlessly those individuals who are intent on committing violence and murder. We are also here if you want to engage with us and want our help in exiting a gang lifestyle but, if you do not, we will identify you and we will arrest you."

PA