Boy, 17, hunted Kamari Johnson with a machete and killed him over £180 moped dispute in Hayes

A West London community has been left shattered after a 17-year-old boy was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the cold-blooded murder of 16-year-old Kamari Johnson. The shocking killing—triggered by a row over a £180 second-hand moped—unfolded in broad daylight on a quiet residential street in Hayes.

The teenage killer, whose identity remains protected due to his age, launched the fatal attack in May last year following a dispute that started on Snapchat. Kamari had agreed to buy a moped from the boy, but tensions flared when he took both the moped and the seller’s cash, sparking outrage.

Determined to confront Kamari, the youth turned up at his home on Bourne Avenue armed with a 30cm machete. What followed was a horrifying chase through the neighbourhood. Kamari tried to flee on the very moped at the heart of their argument, but crashed moments later. The attacker caught up and delivered the deadly blow in front of horrified residents and passers-by.

The court heard how the killing was premeditated and executed with chilling violence. Eyewitnesses watched helplessly as the teenager stabbed Kamari, whose life ended on the pavement just steps away from his home.

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, who led the investigation, described the murder as “senseless and brutal,” and warned of the dire consequences when young people carry knives. “This case illustrates how petty disagreements can spiral into murderous violence when knives are involved,” he said.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, where members of the public were already performing CPR in a desperate attempt to save the boy’s life. Tragically, despite their heroic efforts, Kamari was pronounced dead not long after. The emotional toll on the community has been profound, with neighbours laying flowers at the scene and demanding stronger action to tackle knife crime.

During sentencing at the Old Bailey, the judge condemned the teenager’s actions as “cold-blooded, violent, and entirely avoidable.” The court heard that he had set out that day to retrieve his money and the moped—armed and ready to exact revenge.

The case has ignited fresh outrage across London, where knife crime continues to destroy lives and fuel public fear. Community leaders and local residents are once again calling on authorities to do more to keep knives off the streets and provide better support for vulnerable youth caught up in cycles of violence.

Kamari Johnson’s grieving family said they were “heartbroken beyond words” and described the teenager as a “loving, funny, and loyal boy with his whole life ahead of him.” They added: “We pray no other family goes through what we’ve endured.”

The killer, now facing the harsh reality of two decades behind bars, showed little emotion as the sentence was handed down. While justice has been served in the courtroom, the pain and trauma left behind will linger for years.

As tributes pour in for Kamari, one thing is tragically clear: a teenage boy lost his life in a senseless killing over a cheap moped, and an entire community is left asking how it ever came to this.