Killer convicted over fatal street shooting

A man has been convicted of manslaughter following a fatal shooting in a street.

Neo Graham, 24, was confirmed dead at the scene on Eastfield Road in Wolverhampton during the afternoon of 4 March last year.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday, Koketso Ximba, 23, was cleared of Graham's murder and found guilty of manslaughter.

Four men convicted of other offences in connection with the investigation are due to be sentenced along with Ximba at a later date. Two of the four were cleared of murder.

On 4 March 2025, six shots were fired from a red Renault Clio into a group of people, police said.

They added that a man who was with Graham was shot in the arm and foot but he managed to run off and hide nearby. A third man with them was able to flee uninjured.

The car involved in the shooting was dumped and set on fire two hours later, police stated.

Within 24 hours of the shooting, four people were arrested: Derrick Da Silva, Fabio Bandarrinha, Elie Mey and Aaron Osei.

A firearm was recovered during the operation, which was proven to have been the gun used in the fatal shooting, police said.

Officers also found crack cocaine with an estimated value of up to £19,000, along with £6,980 in cash.

Two days later on 7 March, Ximba was detained in Liverpool as he tried to leave the country by ferry.

He went on to face charges along with the other four, whose convictions were as follows:

• Fabio Bandarrinha, 21, was found guilty of possession of a firearm, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and possession of criminal property. He was cleared of murder.
• Derrick Da Silva, 20, was found guilty of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and possession of criminal property. He was cleared of murder.
• Elie Mey, 25, was found guilty of possession of a firearm, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, assisting an offender and possession of criminal property, West Midlands Police said.
• Aaron Osei, 23 was found guilty of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, assisting an offender and possession of criminal property.

In a tribute released by the force, Graham's family described him as "a loving, caring, family-oriented person" and "a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend".

They added: "There are no words to describe how this loss has impacted our family and wider community."

The family added that almost 200 people had attended a vigil and balloon release in his memory.

Senior investigating officer Jenny Birch said: "The death of this young man saw a gun being used with absolute recklessness and our thoughts remain with those who loved him and with those affected by what happened."

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