In a decisive turn of events, a gunman identified and extradited from Saint Lucia by diligent Met detectives has been found guilty of murder. Chase Griffith, 22, stands convicted of the cold-blooded killing of 28-year-old Sam Brown, following a painstaking investigation that spanned continents.
Griffith, who had fled to Saint Lucia in an attempt to evade justice, will now face sentencing at the Old Bailey.
Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen, who spearheaded the investigation, expressed her gratitude to the team involved, including colleagues from the National Crime Agency, for their unwavering commitment to bringing Griffith to justice.
"Sam Brown was mercilessly gunned down in the street by Chase Griffith in a misguided act of revenge," DCI Allen stated. "Griffith's callous disregard for human life led him to flee the scene and seek refuge in Saint Lucia, leaving Sam's family to grapple with the devastating consequences of his actions."
Thanks to the relentless pursuit of justice by the Met, a watertight case was built against Griffith, utilizing CCTV footage and forensic evidence to establish his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. His arrest and extradition back to the UK marked a significant step toward ensuring accountability for this senseless crime.
DCI Allen extended her heartfelt condolences to Sam's family, acknowledging the pain and loss they continue to endure. "Sam's family is very much in my thoughts today. I once again wish to express my deepest sympathy to them," she added.
In a poignant statement, Sam's family expressed their unwavering love for their son and their determination to honor his memory. "We will never have any closure to what actually happened to our son that night," they stated. "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."
The court proceedings revealed that Griffith and Sam had attended a party in Walthamstow on the night of July 23, 2022. In the early hours of July 24, a stabbing incident occurred, leaving one man injured. Driven by a misguided sense of retribution, Griffith pulled out a firearm and shot Sam in the street.
Despite sustaining serious injuries, Sam managed to drive a short distance before succumbing to his wounds. Griffith, in a desperate attempt to cover his tracks, disposed of his distinctive tracksuit and fled to the Southgate area. He then boarded a flight to Saint Lucia, altering his appearance to evade detection.
Griffith's return to Gatwick Airport on December 8 following his extradition marked the beginning of the end for him. DCI Allen commended the investigating team's relentless pursuit of justice, noting the challenges faced in gathering evidence due to the reluctance of witnesses to come forward.
"This was a challenging investigation," DCI Allen acknowledged. "However, through meticulous forensic CCTV analysis and investigative work using mobile phone data, we were able to conclusively prove Griffith was the person responsible for this murder. I am pleased that the hard work of the investigating team has paid off and a dangerous individual has been held to account for this callous murder."
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