CCTV footage has surfaced showing the last moments of 22-year-old Lucas Sutton, who tragically met his end after buying drinks for his killers.
This footage, which was released recently, depicts Sutton’s final encounter with his murderers, Keahn Williams, 21, and Kai Nelson-Palmer, 18, who brutally stabbed him near the Pawson’s Arms pub in Selhurst, London, on the evening of May 23, 2023.
A Cold-Blooded Attack Under False Pretenses
On that fateful night, Sutton was seen purchasing drinks with his killers, who appeared to be in good spirits, only moments before the horrific attack occurred.
Sutton, dressed in a blue tracksuit, had met Williams and Nelson-Palmer earlier that evening in Croydon, although police have not determined whether he knew they were meeting.
What is known, however, is that the attackers had set up a chilling group chat ahead of time, ominously named with a sword emoji, the word “or,” and an explosion emoji, which the prosecution interpreted as a reference to violence — “Stab or Shoot.”
The Fatal Stab Wounds
As the three walked back from the shop, Williams produced a knife and plunged it into Sutton’s back.
After the attack, Sutton attempted to flee, dropping the drinks as he ran down Mayo Road, but Williams caught up with him and delivered another fatal blow.
Nelson-Palmer and Williams then fled the scene. Sutton, gravely injured, made his way to the Pawsons Arms pub to seek help, but tragically collapsed in the bar area, with two deep stab wounds in his back.
Despite emergency efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after reaching St. George’s Hospital at 9:14 p.m.
The Motivations Behind the Murder
The court proceedings uncovered that Sutton had become entangled with a dangerous criminal gang in the weeks leading up to his death.
He had been holding onto a weapon for the gang, most likely a gun, but when he attempted to sell it without permission, he inadvertently sealed his fate.
The gang, furious with his actions, had repeatedly tried to contact him, making over a thousand calls in an effort to intimidate him.
His betrayal led to his brutal punishment at the hands of Williams and Nelson-Palmer.
The Heartbreaking Impact on Lucas’s Family
In a poignant statement, Sutton’s family expressed the devastation caused by his loss.
They described the hole his death has left in their lives, emphasizing that while he wasn’t perfect, he was dearly loved. They mourned not just the loss of a nephew, son, and brother, but also a father who will never be able to watch his son grow up.
His young child will have to navigate life without a father figure, an agonizing reality for his family.
They shared their heartbreak as they watched the boy interact with his friends and wondered what could have been.
The Perpetrators and the Aftermath
Williams and Nelson-Palmer were arrested within days of the murder, and their fate was sealed when they were sentenced to life imprisonment in August 2024.
Williams will serve at least 23 years, while Nelson-Palmer faces a minimum of 16 years.
In the weeks following the murder, Terrone Thomas, 19, was accused of luring Sutton into the trap but was acquitted after a retrial.
Despite the conviction of Sutton’s killers, Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie of the Met Police emphasized that the attack was premeditated, with Sutton unknowingly walking into a situation where he was betrayed by those he considered friends.
A Shocking Betrayal and a Devastating Loss
The murder of Lucas Sutton is a painful reminder of how betrayal can turn fatal. What should have been a casual meeting between friends turned into a premeditated attack fueled by greed and anger.
As Sutton’s family continues to cope with their loss, the community mourns the life of a young man whose future was tragically cut short.
This case serves as a chilling example of how violence can escalate, leading to irreversible consequences for everyone involved.