Deadly gunman Chase Griffith sentenced to 30 years imprisonment in UK

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Chase Griffith, a deadly gunman has been sentenced to 30 years imprisonment in the United Kingdom for the murder of Sam Brown.

Griffith, 22 of Ashfield Parade, N14 appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, 12 January where he was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment for the murder of 28-year-old Sam Brown.

Metropolitan detectives had identified and extradited the convict from St Lucia to face justice at the Old Bailey Court.

He had previously been found guilty of the murder following trial on Wednesday, 29 November, according to a release by the Metropolitan Police.

Griffith had been extradited from Saint Lucia having fled there following the murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen who led the investigation said this sentence brought an end to a long and painstaking investigation by officers from the Met assisted by colleagues at the National Crime Agency, saying he was very grateful for their assistance with the extradition of Griffith.

He said Brown was gunned down in the street by Griffith in an act of perceived revenge following a stabbing that had taken place earlier that night.

Allen added that Griffith then fled the country to Saint Lucia, while Sam’s family grieved his brutal murder.

“Thanks to diligent detective work, using CCTV and other forensic evidence, a watertight case was built against Griffith allowing his arrest and extradition back to the UK to face justice. My thoughts today are with Sam’s family who have my deepest sympathy,” Allen stated.

In a statement following the trial Sam’s family said they would never have any closure to what actually happened to their son that night.

“We all have to move on with our lives as we know that’s what Sam would want us to do. He will always be our angel and never forgotten,” the family said.

According to police statement, the court heard how Griffith and Sam attended a party in Cheney Row Park, Walthamstow on the night of Saturday, 23 July 2022, with around 150 people present.

The police said in the early hours of 24 July, a man received a stab wound and was taken to hospital for treatment and that in the aftermath of the stabbing, Griffith produced a firearm and believing Sam was in some way responsible, shot him in the street.

Report had it that Sam staggered into his car and managed to drive a short distance before losing consciousness and was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries.

Griffith fled the scene and travelled to the Southgate area. After arriving home he disposed of a distinctive tracksuit he was wearing in an attempt to cover his tracks.

The Met Police stated that on 27 July Griffith boarded a flight to Saint Lucia from Gatwick Airport, saying that when he arrived at the airport, he had changed his appearance, including cutting his distinctive hairstyle and remained in Saint Lucia until he returned to the same airport on 8 December after being extradited.

According to Allen, this was a challenging investigation, adding that although, numerous people were at this gathering and many witnessed Griffith shooting Sam, saying that people were reluctant to come forward and speak to police.

Allen said, however, through forensic CCTV analysis and meticulous investigative work using mobile phone data, the police were able to conclusively prove Griffith was the person responsible for this murder.

He said he was pleased that the hard work of the investigating team had paid off as a dangerous individual had been held to account for this callous murder.