Man convicted following Met investigation into Hackney shooting

A man has been found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder following a meticulous investigation by Met detectives.

The conviction comes as the Met continues to tackle gun crime and disrupt organised criminal networks across London, bringing those responsible for serious violence to justice and making the capital safer.

Beytullah Gunduz, 39 (24.06.1986) of Hackney was convicted of attempted murder at the Old Bailey on Friday, 5 June after a jury heard he conspired to shoot a man, aged 37, outside a restaurant in Dalston.

The court heard the attack was linked to a dispute involving rival north London organised crime groups. Gunduz conspired to have the victim shot after accusing his family of supporting a rival gang and demanding they pay him £100,000.

The shooting has left the man with life-changing injuries and he continues to suffer serious and lasting effects as a result of the attack.

Detective Inspector Iain Wallace, who led the investigation, said: “This was a calculated and ruthless attack carried out in a busy public area which could have easily resulted in the loss of life.

“Gunduz played a central role in orchestrating this shooting and showed a complete disregard for the safety of both the victim and the wider community. My team utilised CCTV, phone data and forensics to build a compelling case and secure this conviction, despite efforts to evade detection.

“Violence linked to organised crime groups has no place on London’s streets. We remain committed to identifying those involved in serious violence and ensuring they are brought before the courts.”

The investigation

On Friday, 20 June 2025 at 22:53hrs, police were called to reports of a shooting in Crossway, Hackney.

Officers, including firearms units, attended with the London Ambulance Service and found a 37‑year‑old man with a gunshot wound. He was taken to hospital and left with life‑changing injuries.

Investigators quickly built a strong evidential case using CCTV, phone data and forensic analysis.

CCTV captured the shooting and showed a white Kia Niro deliberately slowing, pulling alongside the victim and firing a single close‑range shot before driving away at speed. Just minutes after the attack, officers tracked the car to a nearby street, where it had been set alight. Forensic examination recovered a recovered a bullet from the scene and a burnt petrol can from the vehicle.

The gunman was identified, through CCTV, as an associate of Gunduz, who carried out the shooting before fleeing the UK to Turkey shortly afterwards. It is believed he remains in the country.

Alongside CCTV, officers conducted detailed phone analysis which proved central to uncovering the conspiracy. This work identified two burner phones used between 17 and 20 June, linking Gunduz to the hitman he hired, with contact around key moments, including in the hours immediately before and after the attack and when the petrol can was purchased. This provided strong evidence of coordination and joint enterprise.

When providing his account, the victim revealed that his family had been threatened and extorted by Gunduz on previous occasions. CCTV also revealed a failed shooting attempt on 19 June 2025, when the same white Kia vehicle repeatedly passed the victim’s restaurant before aborting when the man was not present.

Through this work, detectives established a clear motive and demonstrated that this attack formed part of a wider, coordinated campaign of violence.

He will be sentenced at the same court on Thursday, 2 July.