Victim left with extensive brain damage following daylight shooting after petrol station fight last August
An armed duo who shot a man near Turnpike Lane and left him with extensive brain damage after a fight at a petrol station have been found guilty of attempted murder.
Denizen Karadag, 20, and 21-year-old Jayson Duir-Kota – who both lived in the Hornsey area – were convicted this week following a trial at the Old Bailey.
Their trial heard the 18-year-old victim, his brother and two friends had visited a petrol station in Tottenham Lane to buy some fuel around 3.15pm on Tuesday 30 August last year.
Here one of the victim’s friends had a brief conversation with Duir-Kota, who was also filling up his car and who subsequently contacted Karadag.
Six shots fired
Karadag headed in their direction on his bike and came across the victim and his brother in Turnpike Lane as they drove back from the petrol station.
They had an abusive and aggressive exchange of words before the brothers got out of the car and chased Karadag on foot until he cycled away, the court was told.
The brothers continued their journey before parking in Denmark Road, close to Hornsey railway station.
Extensive brain damage
In the meantime Karadag met up with Duir-Kota and the duo made their way on bicycles to Denmark Road, armed with a firearm. They had their hoods up and were trying to hide their faces.
Six shots were fired in the brothers’ direction. One bullet hit the victim in the head above his right eye and Karadag and Duir-Kota immediately got back on their bikes and made off.
The bullet was found to have passed through the victim’s brain before lodging inside his head. Scans showed extensive brain damage.
The victim remains in a coma in hospital and doctors say it is unlikely he will ever be able to communicate.
Equally guilty
“Only one firearm was used but the jury found Karadag and Duir-Kota equally culpable of attempted murder due to the clear element of planning involved in this incident,” said Detective Inspector Joe Daly.
“Although the victim’s family remain as positive as they can, his injuries are so severe he will never fully recover and will need round-the-clock care for the rest of his life.
“It is an incredibly sad and needless situation and I hope Karadag and Duir-Kota feel the burden of their actions for a long time to come in prison.”
Karadag and Diur-Kota will be sentenced on Friday 24 March.
