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Youth guilty of crossfire murder Youth guilty of crossfire murder
(30 minutes later)
A teenager has been found guilty of killing a nursing care assistant who was caught in crossfire during a shoot-out with another youth.A teenager has been found guilty of killing a nursing care assistant who was caught in crossfire during a shoot-out with another youth.
Magda Pniewska, 26, was shot in the head in New Cross, south London, in October last year.Magda Pniewska, 26, was shot in the head in New Cross, south London, in October last year.
She had been talking to her sister Elzbieta Luby in Poland at the time, who heard her last breath as she died.She had been talking to her sister Elzbieta Luby in Poland at the time, who heard her last breath as she died.
Armel Gnango, 17, was found guilty of murder, attempted murder and possessing a gun to endanger life.Armel Gnango, 17, was found guilty of murder, attempted murder and possessing a gun to endanger life.
The Old Bailey was told it was not Gnango's weapon which fired the fatal bullet but he was still responsible for the killing because he was involved in the gunfight.The Old Bailey was told it was not Gnango's weapon which fired the fatal bullet but he was still responsible for the killing because he was involved in the gunfight.
The second teenager was also arrested but not charged, the court heard.The second teenager was also arrested but not charged, the court heard.
He was named by Gnango, but denied being involved and was not charged because of lack of evidence.
In scenes reminiscent of the Wild West, Magda was to become the innocent victim of a gunfight by two total strangers 'Wild West' killing in crossfire In scenes reminiscent of the Wild West, Magda was to become the innocent victim of a gunfight by two total strangers 'Wild West' killing in crossfire
Prosecutor Brian Altman QC said: "In scenes reminiscent of the Wild West, Magda was to become the innocent victim of a gunfight by two total strangers.Prosecutor Brian Altman QC said: "In scenes reminiscent of the Wild West, Magda was to become the innocent victim of a gunfight by two total strangers.
"She was caught in the crossfire between two youths armed with handguns. Each had a score to settle."She was caught in the crossfire between two youths armed with handguns. Each had a score to settle.
"The gunfight tragically ended the life of a young woman who had fearlessly given her life to caring for others.""The gunfight tragically ended the life of a young woman who had fearlessly given her life to caring for others."
Giving evidence, Ms Luby said she heard three or four shots before hearing her sister die.Giving evidence, Ms Luby said she heard three or four shots before hearing her sister die.
"There was a short break between the third and fourth shot, like a moment's hesitation," she told the court."There was a short break between the third and fourth shot, like a moment's hesitation," she told the court.
The ray of sunshine which was Magda, has gone from our family Barbara PniewskaMagda's mother 'I was panicking'
"I asked Magda 'What's happening, what is going on, who's shooting?' She said 'Wait a minute, Ella.' The fourth shot came."I asked Magda 'What's happening, what is going on, who's shooting?' She said 'Wait a minute, Ella.' The fourth shot came.
"I heard the last breath of Magda.""I heard the last breath of Magda."
Giving evidence, Gnango, of Streatham Hill, south-west London, said: "I put my hands over my head as I was crouching and let off a shot.Giving evidence, Gnango, of Streatham Hill, south-west London, said: "I put my hands over my head as I was crouching and let off a shot.
"It was not more than two shots. I was aiming at the sky." "It was not more than two shots. I was aiming at the sky.
He added: "I had never shot a gun before. I was panicking. I was trying to scare him off." "I had never shot a gun before. I was panicking. I was trying to scare him off."
In an impact statement read out in court, Miss Pniewska's mother Barbara said: "We have lost a much-loved and loving daughter. My child's life has been untimely cut short. The investigation into Magda's murder is not over DCI Tony Boughton
"The ray of sunshine which was Magda, has gone from our family." The conviction, where someone who did not fire the fatal shot has been found guilty of murder, is thought to be the first of its kind.
Gnango, who pleaded guilty to having a prohibited weapon, was remanded in custody until 23 June when he will be given a life term with a minimum number of years he will serve. Outside court, Crown Prosecution Service lawyer Jane Scholefield said: "Even though the defendant did not fire the fatal round, and even though Magda Pniewska was not the intended target of either gunman, the defendant bears a joint criminal liability for her death.
"Each fired their guns with intent to kill at a time when there were bystanders present between them."
Det Ch Insp Tony Boughton said officers are continuing to gather evidence against the other youth involved in the shoot-out
"The investigation into Magda's murder is not over," he said.
Gnango, who pleaded guilty to having a prohibited weapon, was remanded in custody until 23 June when he will be sentenced.