Crimestoppers are appealing for witnesses one year after a mum-of-two was shot in the head, leaving her barely able to talk or move.
A year on from the shooting of Sasha Johnson, a black rights campaigner, in Peckham, Crimestoppers are offering a £20,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction.
The charity says that despite constant media appeals the high profile case is surrounded by a ‘wall of silence’. The police have said that many people including ‘friends’ of Sasha have failed to come forward with information, even though some were at the party where she was shot.
The 29-year-old mother-of-two was shot at a garden party in Consort Road, shortly before 3am on Sunday May 23 2021.
She suffered such catastrophic head injuries that she now struggles to say more than a few words, and requires constant medical attention.
She has extremely limited movement and is often in pain. For her two young sons and family, watching her suffer is “daily heartbreak”.
The incident is so serious, and Sasha’s injuries so severe, that homicide detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command have taken on the hunt for the culprits.
A case against four men charged over the shooting was dropped in February
Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Penney, who leads the investigation, said: “Look at the family photos of Sasha, you are looking at a young, healthy woman with children who are clearly devoted to her.
“Now look at those photos of Sasha in hospital and you see a woman who needs constant medical care and is so often in pain.
“Despite the most extensive police investigation, those who inflicted these grievous injuries remain free and unpunished and that is just not right.
“I am asking people to end this injustice and tell Crimestoppers what you know. The charity will keep you totally anonymous and pass on it on to us.
“Many people were at that party, including many friends of Sasha, but nearly everyone has been reluctant to come forward.
“I understand people may be scared, but people should search their conscience and do what is right for Sasha, her family and her sons.”
Crimestoppers is a charity that guarantees 100 per cent anonymity. They can be contacted via freephone on 0800555111, or through their website crimestoppers-uk.org.
Those who speak to Crimestoppers will never be asked to give away any personal details.
The charity cannot trace your phone number or, if you contact them online, record details such as your IP address.
Alexa Loukas, London Regional Manager at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Before this violent attack, Sasha was a powerful voice who challenged injustice. By using your voice, you can help find justice for Sasha.
“Sasha is loved by her family and friends and is an active champion for people’s human rights. What’s happened to her is absolutely horrific. Her life will never be the same again.
“We know that many people who were there on the night are her friends and supporters. And yet, there remains a wall of silence.
“Crimestoppers is here to give people the courage to speak up. Since we began in the late 1980s we have never revealed the identity of someone who has contacted us. Protecting your identity is key to everything we do.
“We believe there are people who want to do the right thing for Sasha, but going to the police is not an option. Were you there on the night or have you heard anything about what happened?
“Coming forward is never easy, but if you contact us, you can still do the right thing whilst remaining completely anonymous.
“We never ask for your personal details, or make a note of your perceived gender, age, accent or ethnicity. For telephone calls, there is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and our charity has never traced a call. If you contact us online, encryption is used so there is no way of identifying computer IP addresses.”
Contact via freephone on 0800 555 111, or through their website crimestoppers-uk.org.