How Nigerian teen murdered UK boy over Snapchat insult — Police

An 18-year-old UK-based Nigerian, Emmanuel Popoola, has been found guilty of murdering 19-year-old Keanu Harker in London following a dispute that originated on Snapchat. The London Metropolitan Police detailed how comments made in a group chat, mocking Popoola's perceived inability to afford mobile data, escalated into fatal violence.

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Footage showed both men speaking with friends at a sports court in Enfield Town Park minutes before the murder. Popoola showed off an item inside a plastic bag he was holding, which detectives believed concealed the gun that killed Keanu.

Popoola, along with accomplices Tayvon Etefia, Eliezer Mbaki, Anais King, and a 17-year-old boy, were convicted at the Old Bailey court. The court heard that on June 26, 2025, Harker was riding his bicycle in Enfield when Popoola and Etefia followed him on an electric bike. Popoola then opened fire, shooting Harker in the head and chest.

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Digital forensics experts were able to access mobile phones belonging to the victim and Popoola. They revealed a series of voice messages between the youths, shared on a Snapchat ‘group chat’ for members of rival street gangs in the Enfield area.

Digital forensic analysis of recovered mobile phones revealed a series of voice messages on a Snapchat group chat used by rival street gangs in the Enfield area. Popoola became enraged by comments implying he lacked funds for mobile data. The prosecution also presented drill rap videos allegedly featuring gang members boasting about the killing. Following the shooting, the suspects attempted to dispose of evidence and fled the scene. Popoola later escaped to France with the help of his girlfriend, King, who purchased his ticket, but was eventually tracked by police. Etefia was apprehended attempting to flee to France on a train.

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The group chat messages, which had been saved on the devices’ hard drives, showed how Popoola was angered by comments implying that he did not have the money to buy data for his mobile phone.