Four Men Jailed for More Than 80 Years After Shooting Leaves Victim Paralysed

Four men have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 80 years in prison following a shooting in east London that left one victim with life-changing injuries.
The group was jailed on Friday, January 23, at Snaresbrook Crown Court after being convicted of a violent attack in Canning Town. Among those sentenced was a teenager who attempted to evade police by hiding inside a bed.
The Attack
In the early hours of October 26, 2024, two brothers were shot while walking their dog in Thorne Close, E16. Shortly after 2am, they were chased down the street by two men who had jumped out of a stolen Audi.
CCTV audio captured seven gunshots fired by the attackers before they fled in the vehicle. One victim, aged 36, was shot through the hand. His 28-year-old brother suffered a gunshot wound to the back, which left him paralysed down one side of his lower body.
Five 9mm Makarov bullet casings were recovered from the scene, along with a balaclava later found to contain the DNA of one of the attackers.
Investigation and Arrests
Detectives launched an investigation, tracing the stolen Audi through CCTV footage. This work identified Ronnie Hill, Esmaela Seidi, a 16-year-old boy and Kennedy Senga as those responsible. They had travelled from South Woodford to Canning Town armed with knives and a loaded firearm.
In December 2024, police arrested and charged Senga, Seidi and the 16-year-old. Hill evaded capture until March 2025, when officers found him hiding inside a divan bed at a friend’s house following a lengthy manhunt. During the search, officers recovered a loaded handgun, an imitation firearm and live ammunition.
Following an eight-week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on October 20, 2025.
The Sentences
Ronnie Hill, 18, of no fixed address, was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. He had pleaded guilty mid-trial to possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition. He was sentenced to 24 years.
Esmaela Seidi, 18, of Kitchener Road, Forest Gate, was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder and sentenced to 18.5 years.
A 16-year-old boy from the Canning Town area was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. He was sentenced to 14.5 years.
Kennedy Senga, 19, of Running Waters, Brentwood, Essex, was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. He was sentenced to 21 years.
A fifth man, Abdul Ahmed, 21, of Coleman Road, who was not involved in the shooting, was found guilty of assisting an offender after helping Hill evade arrest. He was sentenced to 2.5 years.
Detective Sergeant Ryan Findleton, who led the investigation, said: “This was a shocking and targeted act of violence that left an innocent man with life-changing injuries. The sentences passed today reflect the tireless work of our officers to bring these dangerous individuals to justice. We hope this provide some comfort to the victims and the wider community.”
He added: “Those who brandish weapons on our streets should be under no illusion that we will do everything in our power to ensure criminals who threaten the safety of Londoners face a lengthy time behind bars. Thanks to this relentlessness, we have seen attempted murder charges for firing weapons nearly doubling since 2023, with sentences now typically between 20 and 35 years. This shows the work of our dedicated officers and staff to suppress violence has made London safer, with fewer people being killed and seriously injured on our streets.“​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​