A man involved in a shooting incident that injured a young girl has been found guilty of planning a murder. Beytullah Gunduz, aged 39, was convicted of conspiring to kill Onur Guzel, 38, who was shot outside his family restaurant in Dalston, east London, last June during a violent conflict between the Hackney Bombers and Tottenham Turks gangs that has resulted in multiple gun-related deaths over the years.
Gunduz was previously acquitted of orchestrating the murder of Zafer Eren, the former leader of the Tottenham Turks, who was fatally shot outside his home in north London in 2013. Following a trial at the Old Bailey, Gunduz was found guilty of conspiracy to murder after the jury deliberated for over 16 hours. Guzel, the victim, described hearing a loud noise while on the phone with his wife, realizing he had been shot and sustaining injuries.
The sentencing is scheduled for the following month, and the judge raised concerns about potential retaliation for a previous attack that left a nine-year-old girl severely injured. In a separate incident, a member of the Tottenham Turks gang was sentenced to life imprisonment for causing harm to the girl and attempting to murder three other individuals. The ongoing feud between the two rival gangs resulted in further violence, including the murder of Izzet Eren, a senior member of the Tottenham Turks.
During the trial, Guzel recounted two other shooting incidents he believed were orchestrated by the Tottenham Turks gang. These incidents, occurring weeks before the attack on Guzel, targeted his brother’s house and the family restaurant. The conflict escalated when a demand for money was made, leading to threats and further violence. Despite the pressure, Guzel’s family refused to pay any extortion money.
Gunduz, denying involvement in the attempted murder of Guzel, testified about his background and previous criminal convictions. When questioned about any connection to a conspiracy involving shootings, Gunduz vehemently denied any involvement. The court proceedings shed light on the ongoing gang rivalry and the impact it has had on the lives of those involved in the conflict.