Nationwide — Four men who were accused of shooting Sasha Johnson, an African American mother and Black Lives Matter activist, have been found not guilty after the prosecution dropped all charges. She survived the attack but suffered severe, lasting brain injuries and permanent disabilities.
Johnson, who was 28 years old at that time, was shot in the head during a birthday party in Peckham, south London, more than 4 years ago. The single bullet caused catastrophic damage, removing part of her brain. She now struggles to speak, experiences constant pain, has limited movement, partial paralysis, and has lost an eye. She requires ongoing medical care.
The men — Prince Dixon, 25, Troy Reid, 20, Cameron Deriggs, 19, and Devonte Brown, 19 — denied charges of conspiracy to murder and possession of a firearm, according to The Guardian. They were set to stand trial, but the Crown withdrew, saying there was insufficient evidence to directly link them to the shooting.
Authorities said the shooting stemmed from a dispute between the suspects and two young men at the house. Investigators found no evidence that Johnson was targeted because of her activism. The case rested on circumstantial evidence, including phone records and movement data, rather than direct proof.
At the Old Bailey, the defendants appeared by video from Belmarsh prison. They smiled and hugged as not-guilty verdicts were formally recorded. Detectives stressed the investigation remains open and urged anyone with information to come forward, ensuring anonymity.
Johnson is a founding member of the Taking the Initiative party and rose to public attention during the 2020 racial justice protests in Britain. Though she survived the attack, her injuries have left her life permanently altered.