Teen Who Fired On Police Locked-Up For Eleven Years

A teenager, who shot at police during a chance meeting outside a block of flats in South-West London, has been caged for eleven years.

Brian Mudziwepasi, 19, (pictured) of Charter Road, Kingston-upon-Thames turned and shot at three officers as he fled the scene.

He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, with intent to endanger life, and possession of a prohibited weapon in Morden Road, Morden on February 21.

Mudziwepasi's claim that he was merely firing a safe warning shot to back the police off was rejected by a judge.

It was 8.35pm when the three officers attended the flats on a routine enquiry and they met the defendant as he left the communal entrance with his bike.

One of the officers recognised him and asked for confirmation of his identity, to which he replied by giving his name.



However, when asked to stop, Mudziwepasi pushed past the officers onto the pavement and produced a silver handgun from his waistband that he pointed at their heads.



He ran away into Morden Road leaving the officers at the entrance, but turned and pointed the weapon in their direction.



The suspect shot once, forcing the officers to dive to the ground.

Fortunately they were not hit and Mudziwepasi continued his escape down a nearby alleyway.




Forensic examination of the area revealed a single shell casing approximately 20 feet from where the shot was fired.

The gun used - a converted Baikal self-loading pistol - has since been recovered in circumstances and at a location believed to be unconnected with Mudziwepasi. 



A manhunt to locate and arrest the suspect was immediately launched by detectives from the Trident Gang Crime Command and Mudziwepasi gave himself up at Tooting police station on February 23.


Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Williams, Borough Commander of Merton, said: “Sergeant Dean Croft, and PC's Jonathan Case and Jonathan Grabauskas are three incredibly brave officers who continued to pursue Mudziwepasi knowing he was armed with a firearm.




"Thankfully none of them were injured when he callously and with no regard for them or members of the public turned and fired at them.

“He is obviously a dangerous individual who thankfully now faces a considerable length of time in prison to consider the consequences of his actions."



Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Reeves, of Trident Gang Crime Command, said: "Thankfully, this kind of incident is rare on the streets of London.

“Mudziwepasi's actions were reckless and could easily have resulted in serious injury to the police officers or to members of the public.

“Fortunately, the officers were not injured and they showed great bravery facing a suspect with a live firearm.




"I would like to thank them and all the other witnesses who gave evidence.

“This was a highly effective investigation, bringing together the skills of Trident detectives and specialist forensic scientists."