Croydon Silent Disco Shooter Leroy Mitchell Dead for Revenge 2026

Key Points

• Leroy Mitchell, 35, was fatally shot in the head at close range with a 12-bore shotgun outside a silent disco party in Croydon, south London, on October 2, 2021.
• The incident occurred just 20 minutes after Mr Mitchell arrived at the party around 4.30am, with the shooting taking place by approximately 4.50am in the car park outside the house hosting the event.
• Alpacino Veii, 29, known as Alpo, and Cimarron Dume-Gooden, 32, are on trial at the Old Bailey accused of the murder of Mr Mitchell.
• Prosecutor Joel Smith KC described the killing as “an act of petty revenge” stemming from a fight between Mr Mitchell and Veii at Granaries nightclub in Croydon in May 2019.
• In the 2019 incident, Mr Mitchell allegedly hit Veii in the face, leading to a brawl where another man was knocked over by a Volvo car.
• Veii reportedly became very upset after his friend was knocked over and attempted to hit the vehicle with a hammer.
• Upon arrest following the nightclub fight, a “fuming” Veii claimed to be the victim, stating he had been punched in the face.
• Mr Mitchell later told a friend he had been in a fight and “knocked out Alpo”.
• Prosecutor Joel Smith KC suggested that the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown disrupted normal life, preventing the defendants from seeking revenge sooner.

Croydon (South London News) February 19, 2026 – A silent disco partygoer was shot dead in what prosecutors described as an “act of petty revenge” just 20 minutes after arriving at the event, the Old Bailey has heard. Leroy Mitchell, 35, was gunned down outside a headphones party at a house in Croydon, south London, on October 2, 2021. Prosecutor Joel Smith KC outlined the case to jurors, stating that Mr Mitchell had arrived around 4.30am and by 4.50am he had been fatally shot in the head at close range with a 12-bore shotgun in the car park outside.​

What Triggered the Fatal Shooting at the Silent Disco?

Alpacino Veii, 29, known as Alpo, and Cimarron Dume-Gooden, 32, face charges of murder over the death of Mr Mitchell. As reported by Joel Smith KC, the prosecutor at the Old Bailey,

“The murder was, it would seem, an act of petty revenge after a fight between Mr Mitchell and the first defendant in this case at a nightclub a couple of years previously.”

The court heard that the “trivial motive” originated from an altercation at Granaries nightclub in Croydon back in May 2019.​

Jurors were told that during the nightclub incident, Mr Mitchell allegedly hit Veii in the face.

This sparked a fight between their groups, during which another man was knocked over by a Volvo car. Veii had become very upset after one of his friends was knocked over by the Volvo and had tried to hit the vehicle with a hammer, it was alleged. On being arrested following the brawl, a “fuming” Veii claimed to be the victim and said he had been punched in the face, the court was told by prosecutor Joel Smith KC.​

Why Did the Revenge Take Two Years to Unfold?

Prosecutor Joel Smith KC suggested to the jury that the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic lockdown had prevented the defendants from taking revenge sooner.

Mr Mitchell later told a friend he had been in a fight and “knocked out Alpo”, referring to Veii. This admission underscored the personal nature of the grudge, as detailed in the prosecution’s opening statements at the Old Bailey trial.​

The court proceedings, as covered extensively by MyLondon, highlighted how the 2019 nightclub clash lingered in the minds of those involved. Granaries nightclub, located in Croydon, became the focal point of the backstory, with the fight escalating quickly from a punch to vehicular involvement.

No further details from additional media outlets were available on this specific timeline, but the prosecution emphasised the “petty” nature of the motive despite the two-year gap.​

Who Are the Defendants in the Old Bailey Trial?

Alpacino Veii, aged 29 and known by the nickname Alpo, is the first defendant named in connection with the shooting. Cimarron Dume-Gooden, 32, is the second man on trial alongside Veii. Both deny the murder charge, with the trial unfolding at the Old Bailey, London’s Central Criminal Court.

Prosecutor Joel Smith KC, King’s Counsel, is leading the case for the Crown, presenting evidence to the jury about the sequence of events.​

As reported in MyLondon’s coverage, the defendants’ alleged motive traces directly to Veii’s altercation with Mr Mitchell. Veii’s reaction at the time – attempting to strike the Volvo with a hammer – painted a picture of immediate fury, which he channelled into claims of victimhood upon arrest. This contrasts with Mr Mitchell’s post-fight boast to a friend about knocking out “Alpo”.​

What Happened in the Lead-Up to the Shooting?

Leroy Mitchell arrived at the silent disco – a popular event format where attendees wear wireless headphones – around 4.30am on October 2, 2021.

The party was held at a house in Croydon, a borough in south London known for its vibrant nightlife scenes. Within a mere 20 minutes, by approximately 4.50am, Mr Mitchell was dead, shot in the head in the adjacent car park. The weapon used was a 12-bore shotgun, fired at close range, as stated by prosecutor Joel Smith KC.​

The brevity of the timeline from arrival to death shocked the courtroom, underscoring the premeditated nature alleged by the prosecution. Silent discos, which allow revellers to dance to music only audible through headphones, have grown in popularity across London boroughs like Croydon for their low-noise appeal in residential areas. However, this event turned deadly, transforming a night of celebration into tragedy.​

How Did the 2019 Nightclub Fight Escalate?

The root of the conflict lay in May 2019 at Granaries nightclub in Croydon. As alleged in court, Mr Mitchell struck Veii in the face, igniting a brawl between their respective groups.

Amid the chaos, another man was knocked over by a Volvo car, fuelling Veii’s rage. Veii then tried to hit the vehicle with a hammer, demonstrating the intensity of his upset, according to prosecutor Joel Smith KC’s account to jurors.​

When police arrested Veii after the incident, he was “fuming” and insisted he was the victim, claiming he had been punched in the face. This version of events clashed with Mr Mitchell’s later recounting to a friend, where he bragged about the fight and knocking out Alpo. The prosecution framed this as a “trivial motive” that festered over time.​

What Role Did the Covid Lockdown Play?

Joel Smith KC told the Old Bailey jury that the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns likely delayed any retaliation. The disruption to social life, nightlife, and mobility in 2020 and into 2021 meant opportunities for revenge were limited.

This period of restrictions, enforced across the UK, inadvertently postponed the tragic confrontation until October 2021.​

Croydon, like much of south London, saw its nightlife curtailed during lockdowns, with clubs like Granaries affected by closures. The return to some normalcy by late 2021 may have provided the window for the defendants to act on the grudge, as suggested by the prosecutor. No conflicting reports emerged from other sources on this aspect.​

What Evidence Has Been Presented to Jurors?

Jurors at the Old Bailey have heard detailed timelines from prosecutor Joel Smith KC. Key elements include Mr Mitchell’s arrival time, the rapid sequence to the shooting, the shotgun’s calibre, and the close-range nature of the fatal wound. The 2019 fight’s details – the punch, the car incident, the hammer attempt, and arrest statements – form the motive’s backbone.​

Statements attributed to both victim and defendants post-2019 incident have been relayed verbatim. Mr Mitchell’s claim of “knocking out Alpo” and Veii’s victim narrative during arrest highlight the mutual animosity. The trial continues, with MyLondon providing ongoing coverage of proceedings.​

Where Did the Incident Take Place?

The shooting occurred outside a house in Croydon hosting the silent disco. Croydon, a diverse borough in south London, has a reputation for its nightlife, including venues like Granaries nightclub. The car park adjacent to the party venue became the scene of the crime at around 4.50am on October 2, 2021.​

When and How Was Leroy Mitchell Killed?

Leroy Mitchell, 35, sustained a fatal head wound from a 12-bore shotgun fired at close range. This happened merely 20 minutes after his 4.30am arrival. The Old Bailey trial, as of February 2026 reporting, remains the primary source for these precise details.​

Who Is Prosecuting the Case?

Joel Smith KC, as lead prosecutor, has characterised the murder as petty revenge. His opening statements set the tone, weaving the 2019 grudge into the 2021 killing. King’s Counsel status underscores his seniority in presenting the Crown’s case.​

This comprehensive account draws solely from MyLondon’s detailed reporting on the Old Bailey proceedings, ensuring full attribution to prosecutor Joel Smith KC’s statements and court testimonies. The trial tests the jury’s assessment of motive, timeline, and evidence in this south London tragedy.