Killers who displayed “smirks” while wreaking havoc at a music video shoot, resulting in the deaths of two young individuals and serious harm to a third, have received life sentences.

Leonardo Reid, aged 15, and Klevi Shekaj, 23, lost their lives while 28-year-old Abdullah Abdullahi sustained severe injuries during a machete assault by a group of men at the event in Archway, north London, on the evening of June 29, 2023.

The assault had been orchestrated by Lorik Lupqi, 22, and Jason Furtado, 28, who collaborated with Abel Chunda, 29, Xavier Poponne, 22, and Eden Clark, 31, to execute their violent plan.

On Friday, these perpetrators were sentenced to two life terms for murder and an additional 25 years for attempted murder after being found guilty in a protracted trial.

At the Old Bailey, Judge Anjua Dhir KC informed Lupqi that he would serve a minimum of 39 years for orchestrating a “calculated, brutal, murderous group assault.”

Furtado and Poponne received minimum sentences of 37 years, while Chunda and Clark were each given a minimum term of 38 years.

During the proceedings, Lupqi, identified as the primary instigator of the attack, reacted aggressively in the dock and directed abusive remarks at Judge Dhir.

Judge Dhir remarked on the defendants’ conduct, stating, “Except for Xavier Poponne, your behavior in this trial has been utterly disgraceful, marked by constant outbursts, altercations in the dock, and disruptive actions within this building’s cells.”

She noted that Lupqi’s behavior was “by far the worst,” emphasizing their total disregard for the court process and the victims’ families.

“However, my sentencing is based on your criminal actions rather than your courtroom behavior,” the judge clarified.

As Lupqi was escorted away in handcuffs, he shouted threats at Judge Dhir: “When I’m out, I’m coming for you.”

Except for Poponne, all defendants had prior convictions, amassing a staggering total of 201 offenses, including drug and weapon charges. Chunda alone had 97 recorded convictions.

Earlier, the mothers of the murder victims condemned the defendants for their apparent lack of remorse, describing their courtroom demeanor as “smirking” and treating the trial as if it were a “game.”

Leonardo’s mother, Valentina Locci, expressed, “My past, present, and future have been shattered—not just for me but for my family, his siblings, and all our loved ones. And for what reason? For a fleeting adrenaline rush, a moment of ego gratification, at the exorbitant cost of others? What we have lost is irretrievable.”

Valbona Shekaj, the mother of Mr. Shekaj, commented, “Instead of expressing sorrow or seeking forgiveness, they smirked at us from the defendant’s box, playing with our grief, treating the trial as if it were a mere game, as though the life they extinguished and the wreckage they caused meant nothing to them.”

The trial revealed that violence broke out after a large gathering on the Elthorne Estate, where a music video was being filmed for an artist known as Tight Road Baby.

Lupqi, believing rival gang members might be present, initiated the attack with assistance from Furtado, who brought in Chunda, Clark, and Poponne.

Lupqi arranged for a taxi to pick up these three men from near Furtado’s home in Canonbury, north London.

Masked and armed with machetes, they headed for the Elthorne Estate, where they met Lupqi.

Leonardo and his brother had been watching the video shoot with friends when they dispersed after spotting a figure in black and wearing a balaclava approaching with a large knife.

Leonardo’s brother returned later to find someone lying still on the ground—only then did he realize it was his sibling.

Leonardo had suffered a stab wound to the chest that pierced his left lung and a major blood vessel, resulting in fatal blood loss.

Mr. Shekaj was stabbed in the back, with the blade penetrating his left lung and fatally injuring him before he reached the hospital.

Mr. Abdullahi was pursued and struck twice by a machete, once on the right side of his body and again on his head and knee.

Judge Dhir stated that Mr. Abdullahi felt “terrified” when he testified in court.

Following the attack, the taxi transported Chunda, Poponne, Clark, and Lupqi away from the crime scene to Chunda’s residence in Highgate Hill.

Jurors learned that lyrics retrieved from Poponne’s phones glorified the murders and boasted about his “trio” of victims.

At the time of the incident, both Furtado and Lupqi were under electronic monitoring. Lupqi removed his tag and fled to Kosovo but was eventually extradited back to the UK.

On Friday, Poponne received additional concurrent sentences for his involvement in class A drug dealing and carrying knives, charges to which he pleaded guilty.