Three men jailed after shotgun attack in broad daylight in south London

South London Shotgun Ambush Leads to 44-Year Combined Sentence for Trio

A Brutal Daylight Attack in Croydon

Traveloasisspot.com – A coordinated shotgun assault that left a man fighting for his life in the streets of Croydon has resulted in lengthy prison terms for three convicted offenders. The combined sentences handed down at Woolwich Crown Court total forty-four years for the men responsible for the terrifying daytime ambush.

Tevin Nzita, aged twenty-nine, Anthony Da Sousa, thirty, and Christopher Da Sousa, twenty-seven, all received their respective sentences on Thursday following their convictions. The brutal incident unfolded in May 2025 when the victim, a man in his thirties, was positioned next to his stationary vehicle in the New Addington area.

The Attack Unfolds

Witnesses observed a black saloon vehicle draw up alongside the unsuspecting man. Before anyone could react, one of the occupants emerged from the car and unleashed two shots at point-blank range. The timing was particularly cruel, occurring mere seconds after the victim had managed to climb into the driver’s seat of his own car.

The initial projectile shattered through the windscreen, passing dangerously close to the man’s body. The assailant then circled the vehicle and delivered a second shot, this time connecting directly with the victim’s chest. Despite the severity of his wounds, the man survived and eventually made his way to a local hospital for treatment.

Investigation and Evidence

Armed police officers quickly secured the area while medical personnel attended to the injured man. Crucial evidence emerged from a mobile phone recovered from the victim’s vehicle. The device contained video footage capturing a confrontation between the victim and Mr Nzita approximately ten minutes prior to the shooting, providing investigators with a vital lead.

Detectives subsequently examined extensive CCTV recordings to map the suspects’ movements before and after the incident. This surveillance work revealed that Mr Nzita was the shooter, Anthony Da Sousa operated the getaway vehicle, and Christopher Da Sousa played an instrumental part in locating the target and providing navigational assistance during the planning stages.

Forensic specialists confirmed that the murder weapon was a sawn-off double-barrelled shotgun, fired from close proximity. The vehicle was eventually traced to Old Coulsdon, where Anthony Da Sousa had organized repairs and fitted cloned number plates to obscure its identity.

Arrests and Convictions

Anthony Da Sousa and Tevin Nzita were taken into custody within fourteen days of the shooting. Christopher Da Sousa was later identified and apprehended in December. All three defendants were found guilty on June 4 at Woolwich Crown Court.

Mr Nzita received a conviction for attempted murder alongside charges of possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life. Anthony Da Sousa was convicted of wounding with intent, along with the same firearm-related charges. Christopher Da Sousa was found guilty of encouraging or assisting in the commission of one or more offences.

“This was an incredibly dangerous attack carried out in a residential street where innocent members of the public could easily have been caught in the crossfire,” stated Detective Constable John Davis from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.

“The offenders acted together to locate the victim, track his movements and carry out a planned shooting using a sawn-off shotgun capable of killing. Their actions showed a complete disregard for human life.”

“Our investigation combined CCTV enquiries, forensic evidence, mobile phone analysis and eyewitness accounts to build an overwhelming case that proved the role each man played.”

Sentencing Details

On Thursday, the court handed down the following sentences: Tevin Nzita received twenty-five years, Anthony Da Sousa was given fifteen years, and Christopher Da Sousa was sentenced to four years in prison. The victim has since made a full recovery from his serious injuries, bringing some closure to a harrowing day in south London.