LONDON, UK – A 32-year-old man has been charged with the murder of 18-year-old Tyrece Balcha, who was shot outside a bar in Wembley last weekend and died from his injuries in hospital on Thursday. The accused, Adem Altindal, of Wood Green, Haringey, was scheduled to appear in court on Friday morning in connection with the killing, which has sparked a major and complex homicide investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

The investigation has widened significantly, with police confirming that a total of eleven people have now been arrested in connection with the incident. A second man, aged 39, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. Two other men had previously been charged with attempted murder before Tyrece succumbed to his injuries.

The fatal shooting occurred in the early hours of Sunday, September 21, on Atlantic Crescent in Wembley. Tyrece, a young man from Hillingdon, fought for his life for four days before passing away. His grieving family has paid a moving tribute to their “kind, loving, funny, and hardworking” son, revealing that through organ donation, his spirit will live on.

As detectives continue their fast-paced investigation, a senior officer has acknowledged the concern the violent act has caused in the community and has assured residents that an increased police presence will remain in the area.

A Young Life Lost: The Family’s Tribute to Tyrece Balcha

As the grim details of the police investigation continue to emerge, the family of Tyrece Balcha is grappling with the devastating loss of a young man who had his entire life ahead of him. In a statement released to the public, they painted a picture of a cherished son whose memory they want to be defined by his character, not by the violence that ended his life.

“We are devastated,” the family’s tribute began. They described Tyrece as “kind, loving, funny, and hardworking.”

In a particularly poignant and moving passage, the family revealed that even in their darkest moment, Tyrece was able to give the ultimate gift. “Through his selfless gift as a donor, his spirit will live on.” This final act of generosity, the donation of his organs to save the lives of others, provides a small beacon of light in an otherwise senseless tragedy. It is a testament to the giving nature of the young man they are now mourning.

The loss of an 18-year-old to gun violence is a tragedy that sends ripples far beyond the immediate family, affecting friends, classmates, and the entire community of Hillingdon where he grew up. His family is now faced with the impossible task of planning a funeral while simultaneously following a complex and high-profile murder investigation.

The Incident on Atlantic Crescent

The chain of events that led to Tyrece’s death began at 05:27hrs on Sunday, September 21. The Metropolitan Police were called to Atlantic Crescent in Wembley following multiple reports of a shooting outside a bar. The early hour suggests the incident may have been the culmination of a dispute at a late-night event or party.

Upon arrival, officers and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service found Tyrece suffering from a serious gunshot wound. They provided immediate first aid at the scene before he was rushed to a London hospital in critical condition. For four days, he remained in intensive care as medical teams fought to save his life. Tragically, despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead on Thursday, September 25. The investigation, which had begun as an attempted murder case, was immediately escalated to a homicide investigation, led by the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.

A Complex Investigation: Unraveling the Web of Suspects

The investigation, led by Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke, has been described as moving at a rapid pace, resulting in a significant number of arrests and charges that paint a picture of a group-related crime.

Here is a breakdown of the key suspects and the charges they face:

• Adem Altindal, 32: He is the primary suspect charged with the murder of Tyrece Balcha. He was arrested on Wednesday, September 24, and the murder charge was authorized on Thursday, September 25, following Tyrece’s death. He was scheduled to appear at Haringey Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 26.
• Unnamed Man, 39: This second individual was arrested on Thursday, September 25, on suspicion of both murder and possession of a firearm. He remains in police custody and is being questioned by detectives. His arrest indicates that police believe more than one person was directly involved in the fatal attack.
• Rafael Reveane Rodriguez, 39, and Dennis Gambrah, 32: These two men were arrested earlier in the investigation and were charged with attempted murder on Wednesday, September 24—the day before Tyrece died. They appeared in court and were remanded in custody. Now that Tyrece has passed away, it is highly likely that the Crown Prosecution Service will upgrade their charges to murder. They are scheduled for their next court appearance at the Old Bailey on Thursday, October 23.
• Seven Other Individuals: In a sign of the investigation’s broad scope, police have confirmed that a further seven people have been arrested on suspicion of various offenses related to the case. These charges include assisting an offender and firearm possession. This suggests that investigators believe there was a coordinated effort to carry out the attack and potentially to help the primary suspects evade capture. Some of these individuals remain in custody, while others have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

This complex web of arrests and charges indicates that detectives are pursuing a theory that this was not the act of a lone gunman but a planned and coordinated attack involving multiple participants.

The Police Response and Community Reassurance

The Metropolitan Police have acknowledged the significant impact this violent incident has had on the Wembley community. Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke, who is leading the investigation, expressed his condolences to the victim’s family.

“Our thoughts are with Tyrece’s loved ones as they struggle to come to terms with their loss,” he said. “I want to assure them, and the wider community, that my team and I are working at pace to establish the full circumstances of this tragic death and to ensure that everyone involved is held accountable.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, the senior officer for policing in the area, addressed the public’s safety concerns, particularly as the shooting occurred near a busy event.

“We recognise the concern this has caused,” he stated. “An 18-year-old has lost his life, and our thoughts are with his family. I want to reassure the community that we are doing everything we can to support our homicide colleagues in their investigation. To that end, patrols in the area have been increased, and a visible police presence will continue in the coming days to provide reassurance and to speak with anyone who may have concerns.”

Detectives are still appealing for witnesses to come forward. They are urging anyone who was in the area of Atlantic Crescent at around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 21, and who may have seen the incident or the moments leading up to it, to contact them immediately.

As the legal process for the eleven individuals arrested so far begins to move through the courts, the family of Tyrece Balcha is left to mourn a young man they described as kind, funny, and hardworking. His final, selfless act as an organ donor ensures that his spirit lives on, a legacy of life in the face of a senseless and tragic death.