2 men convicted of “brutal” murder in the attack planned on snapchat

• Two British men have been sentenced to life in prison for the “brutal murder” of a former friend, police say
• Keahn Williams, 21, and Kai Nelson Palmer, who turned 18 on April 5, planned the attack in May 2023 against Father Lucas Sutton, 22, by exchanging messages about Snapchat, confirmed officers in a press release
• “The murder of Lucas has left a large hole in our lives that can never be filled,” the victim’s family said in a statement

Two men in England have been imprisoned for the life of the “brutal murder” of a former friend, whom they planned to attack while they exchanged Snapchat messages, the police have said.

On the evening of May 23, 2023, 22-year-old Father Lucas Sutton was attracted to an address “in Croydon, UK and” deadly knife-cut when he went back from a local store “after the group went to buy drinks, the UK’s big city police stated in April 5 April 5 News notice.

Keahn Williams, now 21, was found guilty of killing at London’s old Bailey Criminal Court on April 26, 2024. Kai Nelson-Palmer, who turned 18 this year, was found guilty of murder four days later.

Detective manager Inspector Brian Howie, from Met’s specialist Crime Command, said that Sutton had been friends with one of the defendants, “but in the group’s mind Lucas had crossed them by trying to get rid of a firearm that he had kept to,” per publishing.

“This perceived storage was the motivation for this deadly attack,” Howie said.

“On August 14, 2024, the defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court. Williams will serve a minimum period of 23 years” and Nelson-Palmer a minimum period of 16 years. This can now be reported after the cancellation of reporting restrictions, “stated release.

The police said the suspects had planned to attack the victim on Snapchat.

“Unaware of Lucas, they had exchanged Snapchat messages during the days that led to the meeting with the intention of attacking him. When they returned from Shop in Northbrook Road, Williams produced a knife and staked Lucas who was completely unaware,” pronounced the release.

“He dropped the drinks he held and ran, persecuted by Williams and Nelson Palmer. Williams picked him up as he ran along Mayo Road and staked him again before both attackers fled,” the police added.

“Lucas burst into a local pub and asked for help but collapsed on the floor. The shrimp levels participated but despite their efforts, Lucas unfortunately died a short time later at the hospital,” confirmed the release and added that the attackers “fled back in the direction of the address where they originally met,” before Williams “later left the stage.

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The police said in the post that Williams had seen on CCTV at night of Sutton’s death “dressed in a distinct Balaclava” as he chased the victim down the street.

“A similar clothes was later recovered at an address linked to him,” said the police, leaving in the publication that the victim’s “family and friends talked about how he seemed to be recalled and scared” and that “he had confidence that he had upset people and feared for his security.”

Chief Inspector Howie said about the attack, “The evidence was gathered and presented to the jury built up a clear picture of a plot to attract Lucas to an address in Croydon, act as if nothing was wrong and then violently attack him.”

“It is clear during the weeks until the murder that Lucas realized that he was in danger, but he did not suspect that it was from those he thought of as his friends,” the official added according to the publication.

“This was a leveled, demanding act that has left Luca’s family and friends completely destroyed. While those responsible have been held to report their actions, I know that this will do a little to facilitate the unbearable pain that Luca’s loved ones continue to endure,” he continued.

Sutton’s family said in a joint statement, “The murder of Lucas has left a big hole in our lives that can never be filled. Lucas was not perfect, he made mistakes but he was ours. He had a bright future in front of him, but it has been removed from him.”

“They have not only removed a nephew but a son, a grandson, a brother, a cousin, a father, a partner, a friend and so much more. We sit at home in the evening almost expect him to come in with a smile on his face, but he never does,” they added.

“He leaves behind his young son who will have to grow up without his best friend and father. It breaks our heart that he will never see his dad again, we sometimes see him look at his friends play with his dads, and we just think he will never get it,” the family ended.

Police confirmed that a man, 19, had been acquitted for murder in the case in Old Bailey on Wednesday, April 3.

Metropolitan Police had no further updates when contacted by people.