Full Breakdown
Leroy Mitchell Murder Trial: A Case of Petty Revenge
2/18/2026, 10:44:07 PM
Overview of the Incident
Leroy Mitchell, a 35-year-old father of three, was fatally shot outside a silent disco in Croydon, south London, on October 2, 2021. The incident occurred around 4:50 AM, shortly after Mitchell arrived at the venue. Prosecutor Joel Smith KC stated that the murder was an "act of petty revenge" stemming from a prior altercation between Mitchell and one of the accused, Alpacino Veii, known as Alpo. This earlier conflict reportedly took place in May 2019 at Granaries nightclub, where Mitchell allegedly punched Veii during a fight.
Details of the Shooting
On the night of the shooting, Mitchell had visited his mother's house before returning to Granaries nightclub and then proceeding to the silent disco. Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang, initially mistaken for a firework, shortly before a guest discovered Mitchell's body in the car park and called emergency services. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:26 AM, with a post-mortem examination confirming he had been shot once in the head with a 12-bore shotgun.
Accused Individuals
Alpacino Veii, 29, from Southwark, and Cimarron Dume-Gooden, 32, from Thornton Heath, are on trial at the Old Bailey, facing charges of murder and perverting the course of justice, both of which they deny. Following the shooting, it is alleged that the two fled the scene in a BMW, which was later found torched along with clothing and mobile SIM cards in an attempt to destroy evidence. The prosecution suggested that the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the defendants' revenge.
Evidence and Trial Progress
The shooting itself was not captured on CCTV; however, various strands of evidence, including traffic camera footage and mobile phone data, are being presented to establish the defendants' involvement. The trial is ongoing, with jurors hearing details of the events leading up to and following the murder.
Criticism & Opposition
While the prosecution has laid out a narrative of revenge, the defense maintains that Veii and Dume-Gooden are not guilty of the charges. The defense has yet to present its case, and the trial continues to unfold as more evidence is examined.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The murder was, it would seem, an act of petty revenge after a fight between Mr Mitchell and the first defendant in this case at a nightclub a couple of years previously.” — Joel Smith KC, Prosecutor
- “The shooting itself was not caught on CCTV but Mr Smith said different strands of evidence, including from traffic cameras and mobile phones, showed Veii and Dume-Gooden were responsible.” — Joel Smith KC, Prosecutor
The trial remains in progress, with further developments expected as the court examines the evidence and testimonies related to this tragic incident.
