A teenager has been convicted of killing a man at Brent Cross Shopping Centre.

Bhoniefas Rexson, 19, of Buck Lane in Kingsbury, pleaded guilty yesterday (Tuesday) to the manslaughter of 21-year-old Gedeon Ngwendema. He was sentenced at the Old Bailey today (Wednesday) to 14 years’ imprisonment.

Rexson was arrested and charged following a Metropolitan Police investigation into the fatal stabbing of Gedeon Ngwendema at Brent Cross last year.

Police had been called at 6.44pm on 4th May 2021 to a fight at the shopping centre. Despite the efforts of emergency services, Gedeon, from Brent, died at the scene from a single stab wound.

The subsequent investigation established that a spontaneous fight had broken out between a number of young men at the shopping centre. It was during this fight that Gedeon was stabbed by Rexson, a gang member.

Rexson was detained by security staff at the shopping centre shortly before being arrested by police officers at the scene. Analysis of CCTV of the incident confirmed that Rexson inflicted the fatal stab wound. A knife was subsequently recovered which was linked to the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley, Specialist Crime, who led the investigation said: “There are clearly no winners in this case. The tragedy of Gedeon’s death has remained with me throughout this investigation, and again today I wish to express my team’s heartfelt sympathies to his family.

“Rexson has also paid a significant price for what he has admitted was a loss of control. There is no doubt in my mind that his gang lifestyle was the reason for his appalling actions that evening.

“I also want to pay tribute to the security staff and management of the Brent Cross Shopping Centre, for their initial response to the incident and subsequent support for the investigation. I am very grateful to them.”

Three other men were arrested as part of the police investigation but were released without further action.