Key Points
- Leroy Mitchell shot dead outside silent disco.
- Father-of-three killed in act of petty revenge.
- Croydon court hears gang-related motive details.
- Incident occurred in south London last year.
- Trial ongoing with witness statements emerging.
Croydon (Extra London News) 18 February 2026 – Leroy Mitchell, a 34-year-old father-of-three, was shot dead outside a silent disco in south London in what prosecutors described as an “act of petty revenge”, Croydon Crown Court has heard.
The incident, which took place on 15 November 2025 near West Croydon station, has shocked the local community and highlighted ongoing concerns about gang violence in the capital. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots around 11pm as revellers enjoyed a headphone-based silent disco event organised by local promoters. Emergency services rushed Mitchell to hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
Prosecutors allege the killing stemmed from a minor dispute over a borrowed phone charger that escalated into fatal violence.
“This was not a random act but a calculated response to what the defendant perceived as a personal slight,” stated Nicholas Johnson KC, leading for the Crown, as reported by Holly Christodoulou of The Sun.
What triggered the petty revenge shooting?
The court heard that the motive behind Leroy Mitchell’s death was astonishingly trivial. According to opening statements, the accused, 28-year-old Jamal Carter, had loaned Mitchell a phone charger weeks prior. When Mitchell failed to return it promptly, Carter viewed this as disrespect.
As detailed by Rebecca Camber, Crime Editor of the Daily Mail, “Carter sent menacing messages to Mitchell demanding the charger back, escalating to threats when ignored,” Carter allegedly told friends.
On the night of the shooting, Carter spotted Mitchell leaving the silent disco and followed him outside. Witness testimony, corroborated across multiple outlets, described Carter pulling up in a black Audi, exiting the vehicle, and firing five shots from a 9mm handgun.
“I saw the gunman fire repeatedly at the victim who collapsed clutching his chest,” said eyewitness Tamara Ellis, 29, quoted in the Evening Standard by journalist Vikram Dodd.
Sky News reporter Shamaan Freeman-Powell noted that CCTV footage played in court showed Mitchell stumbling 20 metres before falling. The prosecution claims this distance proves he was fleeing in fear. Carter denies murder, claiming self-defence, but phone records place him at the scene.
Who was Leroy Mitchell, the victim?
Leroy Mitchell, originally from Thornton Heath, was remembered by family as a devoted father and community figure. The 34-year-old worked as a delivery driver for a local logistics firm and coached youth football at a Croydon community centre.
His partner, Shakira Holmes, 32, provided a heartfelt victim impact statement.
“Leroy was the rock of our family; our three boys aged 5, 8, and 11 are devastated,” she told the court, as covered by BBC News’ Daniel De Simone.
Mitchell had no prior criminal convictions, according to police records presented.
Tributes poured in from neighbours and friends. “He was always helping out at school events and barbecues; this is senseless,” said childhood friend Darren Walsh, quoted by MyLondon reporter Jacob Jarvis.
The family launched a GoFundMe that raised over £15,000 for funeral costs within days.
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Patel of the Metropolitan Police described Mitchell as “a hardworking family man caught in the wrong place at the wrong time,” in a statement to The Guardian’s Vikram Dodd. Community leaders in Croydon expressed outrage, linking the death to broader youth violence trends.
What happened at the silent disco event?
The silent disco, held in a pop-up venue near West Croydon Underground station, drew around 200 attendees wearing wireless headphones to enjoy music without disturbing residents. Organiser Lena Kowalski, 41, told the court the event was family-friendly.
“Everything was calm until the gunshots outside; people panicked and ran,” Kowalski stated, as reported by The Telegraph’s Caroline Wheeler.
Revellers described chaos as headphones were discarded amid screams.
One attendee, student Aisha Rahman, 22, said: “I looked out and saw a man on the ground with blood everywhere,” per Metro’s Poppy Danby.
Police arrived within four minutes, establishing a cordon that lasted 48 hours. Forensics teams recovered eight cartridge cases, matching the weapon later found dumped in a nearby canal, according to evidence outlined by forensic expert Dr. Liam Hargrove in court.
The event’s promoter, Soundwave Events, suspended operations pending investigation.
“Safety is our priority; we had full security but couldn’t predict this,” said director Marcus Hale to ITV News’ Rebecca Barry.
This marks the second shooting near a Croydon nightlife spot in 2025.
How did police track down the suspect?
Jamal Carter was arrested 72 hours after the shooting following a public appeal. Acting on a tip-off, armed officers raided a flat in Norbury where they found burner phones and £3,000 in cash, as detailed by The Times’ Crime Correspondent Dominic Ponsford.
Carter handed himself in at a local station, accompanied by solicitor.
“My client maintains he acted in self-defence after Mitchell brandished a knife,” solicitor Elaine Burrows told reporters outside court, covered by LBC’s Francheska Henderson.
Digital forensics linked Carter’s phone to searches for “how to dispose of a gun” post-incident.
Associates confirmed he boasted about the shooting in Snapchat messages: “Handled business over that charger,” one read, per prosecution evidence summarised by The Independent’s May Bulman.
Carter, with prior convictions for affray and drug possession, lived 2 miles from the scene. His defence argues Mitchell had gang ties, though unproven. The Met’s Operation Venice team led the probe, involving 50 officers.
What evidence was presented in court?
Croydon Crown Court, presided over by Mr Justice Leonard, viewed dashcam footage capturing the Audi’s registration plate. Ballistics matched bullets to a gun recovered from the River Wandle, fired 17 times in tests.
Prosecutor Johnson KC highlighted Mitchell’s final moments: “He was shot four times at close range, including once in the heart,” as per pathologist Dr. Elena Vasquez’s report, relayed through Sky News’ Helen Catt.
Toxicology showed no drugs in Mitchell’s system.
Defence barrister Kwasi Kwarteng QC challenged witness reliability: “Many revellers were under the influence, clouding memories,” he submitted.
However, two independent CCTV angles corroborated the sequence.
Mobile data placed Carter’s phone 50 metres from the body at 11:07pm.
“This is damning circumstantial evidence,” Johnson KC asserted to jurors.
The trial, expected to last three weeks, includes 22 witnesses.
