Sickening CCTV footage has been released of the moment a 22-year-old bought drinks for his killers just moments before they stabbed him to death.
Lucas Sutton, 22, was killed by Keahn Williams, 21, and Kai Nelson-Palmer, 18, near the Pawson’s Arms pub in Selhurst, London, at around 7pm on May 23, 2023.
The murderers were sentenced to life imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court on August 14, 2024, with Williams to serve a minimum of 23 years behind bars while Nelson-Palmer was given a minimum of 16 years.
The chilling footage released today shows Mr Sutton’s final moments alive as he leaves the shop on Northbrook Road with the pair before they launched the fatal knife attack.
The 22-year-old, dressed in a blue tracksuit, had met Williams and Nelson-Palmer, who were both wearing dark clothing, that night in a flat on Princess Road, Croydon.
Police say it is unclear whether Mr Sutton was expecting to meet them, but the court heard the killers had set up a group chat in the days prior with a name consisting of a sword emoji, the word ‘or’, and an explosion emoji, which the prosecution say translated to ‘Stab or Shoot.’
As they walked back from the shop, Williams produced a knife and plunged it into Mr Sutton’s back, who dropped the drinks and tried to escape as Williams and Nelson-Palmer chased him.
Williams caught up with the 22-year-old as he ran along Mayo Road and stabbed him again before he and Nelson-Palmer fled.
Lucas Sutton was killed by Keahn Williams (left, with his back to camera) and Kai Nelson-Palmer (right) near the Pawson’s Arms pub in Selhurst, London, at around 7pm on May 23, 2023
The 22-year-old, dressed in a blue tracksuit, had met Williams and Nelson-Palmer, who were both wearing dark clothing, that night in a flat on Princess Road, Croydon
Chilling footage released today shows Mr Sutton’s final moments alive as he leaves the shop on Northbrook Road with the pair before they launched the fatal knife attack
Prosecutor Mark Fenhalls KC earlier told jurors that Mr Sutton burst into the bar area of the Pawsons Arms after the attack to seek help.
He said: ‘He had two deep stab wounds in his back. He asked for help from the bar staff. He tried to take off his top, but he collapsed to the ground.’
The emergency services were called and paramedics tried to save Mr Sutton’s life, but he was pronounced dead at St George’s Hospital at 9.14pm.
Both attackers ran in the direction of the address where they had originally met, with Williams later leaving the scene in a taxi which was also caught on the driver’s camera footage.
Detectives’ analysis showed Williams wearing a distinctive balaclava as he chased Lucas down the street which was later recovered at an address linked to him.
Both attackers ran in the direction of the address where they had originally met, with Williams later leaving the scene in a taxi which was also caught on the driver’s camera footage (above)
Prosecutor Mark Fenhalls KC told jurors Mr Sutton burst into the bar area of the Pawsons Arms where he asked for help after being stabbed before collapsing to the ground
They also established some of the events that had taken place in the weeks leading up to the attack.
Mr Sutton had been looking after a weapon, likely a gun, for a criminal gang and had become nervous in the weeks leading up to his death, the court heard.
Mr Fenhalls added: ‘Lucas had foolishly tried to sell the item without their permission.
‘He then made himself scarce, but the mistake he made caught up with him and he was attacked by these men as a punishment for what he had done..’
Messages recovered show the gang had repeatedly tried to contact Mr Sutton and had called him ‘over a thousand times’ when he tried to cut himself off from the group.
Williams (above) was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years after being found guilty of the murder
Nelson-Palmer (above) was also jailed for life, but was given a minimum term of 16 years behind bars
Williams and Nelson-Palmer were arrested in the week following the murder, while Terrone Thomas, 19, was accused of luring Mr Sutton to his death by arranging the meeting with his killers.
Thomas denied any involvement and was cleared by an Old Bailey jury after a retrial on April 3, 2025.
In a joint statement, Mr Sutton’s family said: ‘The murder of Lucas has left a large hole in our lives which can never be filled. Lucas wasn’t perfect, he made mistakes but he was ours. He had a bright future ahead of him, but it has been taken away from him.
‘They have not only taken away a nephew but a son, a grandson, a brother, a cousin, a father, a partner, a friend and so much more. We sit at home in the evening almost expecting him to come in with a smile on his face, but he never does.
‘He leaves behind his young son who will have to grow up without his best friend and father. It breaks our heart that he will never see his Dad again, we sometimes see him watching his friends playing with their dads, and we just think he will never have that.’
Mr Sutton’s family said ‘the murder of Lucas (above) has left a large hole in our lives which can never be filled’
Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie of the Met Police said: ‘The evidence gathered and presented to the jury built up a clear picture of a plot to lure Lucas to an address in Croydon, act as if nothing was wrong, and then violently attack him.
‘Lucas and one of the defendants had been friends but in the minds of the group, Lucas had crossed them by attempting to get rid of a firearm he had been holding onto. This perceived betrayal was the motivation for this deadly attack.
‘It is clear in the weeks leading up to the murder that Lucas realised he was in danger but he did not suspect it was from those he thought of as his friends.
‘This was a pre-meditated, callous act that has left Lucas’s family and friends utterly devastated. While those responsible have been held to account for their actions, I know this will do little to ease the unbearable pain Lucas’s loved ones continue to endure.’
