Lewisham man charged with conspiracy to murder Black Lives Matter advocate Sasha Johnson appears in court

A man has appeared in court today (29 May), charged with conspiracy to murder over the shooting of black equal rights advocate, Sasha Johnson.

Cameron Deriggs, 18, of Bromley Hill, Lewisham, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning dressed in a grey zip-up hoody and blue jeans.

He did not give an indication of plea.

Prosecutor Carol Udenze said: “This offence happened on 23 May at an address where a lady was shot in the head and another person was shot in the foot – this was at a house party.

“The crown’s case is that the defendant in agreement with others conspired to murder somebody at that address.”

Remanding Deriggs in custody, District Judge Michael Snow said: “This case is sent to the criminal court.

“You will be there on 25 June, probably by live link, where the judge will want confirmation of your plea and give directions for the smooth running of your case.”

27-year-old Oxford graduate Johnson remains in a critical condition in hospital after being injured at a party in Peckham, south-east London, in the early hours of Sunday 23 May.

On Wednesday 26 May, five males were arrested in connection with the incident and, on Friday (28 May), four of them were released on bail until a date in late June.

The Metropolitan Police said that officers first detained three teenagers and two older men on suspicion of other offences, before they were all also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The first suspect, a 17-year-old boy, was held on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and drug dealing on Tuesday (25 May) afternoon.

Police then raided an address in Peckham where they arrested three men – aged 18, 19 and 28 – on suspicion of affray and possession with intent to supply class B drugs.

A fifth man, aged 25, was arrested later that evening following a car chase, also in Peckham, on suspicion of affray and failing to stop for police.

What happened to Sasha Johnson?

Mother-of-two Johnson was at a party in the back garden of a home in Consort Road, Peckham, when four men in dark clothing burst in and shots were fired.

A man aged in his 20s also suffered a “superficial” knife injury as the violence erupted, but he was not seriously hurt.

Johnson is a known figure in the Black Lives Matter movement and is described as “a strong, powerful voice for our people and our community” by the Taking The Initiative Party, of which she is a member.

She works in activism and community support and got a first in social care.

In a statement, Metropolitan Police Commander Alison Heydari said: “This was a shocking incident that has left a young woman with very serious injuries.

“We are aware of Sasha’s involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK and I understand the concern this will cause to some communities – however I wish to stress that at this time there is nothing to suggest Sasha was the victim of a targeted attack.

“We are also not aware of any reports of threats made against her prior to this incident.”

Johnson’s friend Imarn Ayton told BBC News that the young mother has successfully undergone surgery and her parents are with her in hospital.

Police are urging people to come forward with any information relating to the shooting and said the attackers did not deserve to be protected.

Detectives continue to appeal for anyone with information to come forward by calling police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 and providing the reference 1172/23MAY.

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