The shooting was captured on CCTV (credit: Essex Police)
Rio Burton-Devine pulled out a firearm and fired towards two men as they were coming out of a shop at around 2pm on Tuesday, 13 September 2022.
Both victims, aged in their 20s, were not hurt and were able to get back into their car and drive away.
Rio Burton-Devine and Forest Bentick, both aged 24, were jailed at Basildon Crown Court on Monday, 21 August for their involvement in the incident.
Bentick was sentenced to an extended term of 19 years and six months and Burton-Devine for three years and six months in prison.
Following police enquiries, Burton-Devine was arrested three days after the shooting.
The second man, Bentick, who’d also been at the scene outside Lakeside, was arrested on Sunday, 9 October after the car in which he was passenger was pursued by officers in Waltham Abbey.
Bentick decamped from the Audi A1 after it collided with a member of the public’s car. He was later tackled to the ground by officers after a foot chase broke out.
The suspect was found to have a loaded firearm and a knife concealed in his waistband which officers discovered on his arrest.
Officers also arrested a third person, Chantel Fowler, 25, who was driving the car at the time.
Police later raided a property in Huntsman Road, in Ilford, where they found drugs, cash, phones, an air-powered weapon and the car used in the shooting incident.
Adam Yildaz, 26, who was present during the warrant was arrested.
All four were charged by officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit.
Burton-Devine, of no fixed abode, admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Yildaz admitted two counts of possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply, possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.
However, Forrest Bentick, of no fixed abode had denied possessing an imitation firearm, with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing a prohibited firearm, possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate, possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply, possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.
He did, however, admit having a bladed article.
Fowler, of Aldriche Way, Waltham Forest, had denied dangerous driving and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.
Following a three-week trial at Basildon Crown Court, a jury found Bentick and Fowler guilty of all charges against them (Wednesday, 5 July).
Alongside Bentick and Burton-Devine, Yildaz was sentenced to 50 months’ imprisonment.
Fowler was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Detective Inspector Yoni Adler, who led the investigation, said: “To call Rio Burton-Devine and Forrest Bentick’s actions anything other than dangerous and reckless would be an understatement.
“The incident at the retail park shows how the pair were willing to put the public’s safety at risk as Devine-Brown fired the weapon at the victims in a very public place.
“And when Bentick was arrested, he jeopardised everyone’s safety, including his own, and showed the lengths he was willing to go to, to evade capture.
“This level of criminality cannot be ignored – we cannot and will not allow people to wander our streets with lethal weapons.
“Our investigation quickly identified the key players, showing our determination to bring those to justice.
“I’d like to thank my team for their unwavering dedication and professionalism throughout the investigation.
“Bentick and Fowler denied much of their actions throughout the trial, but the jury saw through their accounts and found them guilty.
“I have absolutely no doubt our county is a safer place for their convictions.”
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Tags: Shooting, Lakeside, Thurrock
