Tributes to ‘brilliant’ mum killed when gunman opened fire on wake in drive-by shooting – as terrified churchgoers fled

TRIBUTES have been paid to a "brilliant" mum who was brutally gunned down in a shocking drive-by shooting.

Michelle Sadio, 46, died at the scene of the shooting in Brent, North West London, at around 9.15pm on Saturday.

She was among 120 churchgoers leaving a service at River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church when the gun horror took place.

Police say two men, both in their 30s, were also injured in the shooting, with one currently fighting for his life in hospital.

Tributes have now poured in for mum-of-two Michelle, from Walthamstow, east London, after her tragic death.

Yesterday, her devastated husband Jean-Marie told of his shock of losing his wife in London’s latest gun chaos.

The commercial disputes expert said: “I am in shock. How could this have happened?

"No one has any respect for life anymore.

“I had to tell my children that this tragedy has taken their mother away.”

One pal said: “Michelle was a light in all of our lives. She adored her children and worked hard to give them a happy life.

“She didn’t deserve this. No one does. She was a brilliant mum.”

A Met Police spokesman said: "A murder investigation is under way following a shooting in Brent.

"At approximately 21:15hrs on Saturday 14 December, police were called to reports a shooting in Gifford Road, NW10.

"A woman was found suffering serious injuries – despite the efforts of the emergency services she was pronounced dead at the scene.

"While formal identification has yet to take place, officers are confident she is 46-year-old Michelle Sadio. Her family are being supported by specialist officers.

"Two men, both aged in their 30s, also suffered injuries. One remains in hospital in a critical condition, the other man’s injuries are not life threatening."

No arrests have yet been made in connection with the shooting.

In a video obtained by The Sun, a car pulls up to the large group before seven gunshots can be heard, causing panic through the large group of churchgoers.

'CHAOS AND PANDEMONIUM'

As many begin to flee and seek cover, the desperate screams of a woman can be heard.

The black motor creeps around the corner and hones in on the victims, who had been attending a wake in the church opposite.

In a matter of just seconds, Michelle was left dead and two men, in their 30s were left seriously hurt from the salvo.

Hours after the shooting, a distraught relative arrived at the scene and was heard screaming “tell me this isn’t real” before being consoled by cops.

Pastor Lawrence Larbie said those injured were visiting on Saturday for the wake of an elderly member of the church.

He said: “There was chaos and pandemonium. The meeting came to an abrupt end. People knew the persons who had been shot.”

He added: “They came with very deadly, evil intentions to cause death.”

A neighbour said: “People came out of the church, they were at a wake and they saw the bodies on the ground.

“I heard a lot of crying and screaming.”

'IT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE'

Another fearful resident, 50, said: “I just hope whoever was killed was innocent and this doesn’t become a back and forth situation.”

A resident who lives nearby and did not wish to be named said they heard five gunshots fired in a row.

Another terrified local said her daughter got home just minutes before the horror.

She said: "My daughter came though the door 10 minutes before it happened.

"My son thought there were fireworks, then I heard my neighbour screaming and I realised there was a shooting.

"It's crazy, it's sad. It's scary, it does not feel safe.

"I've lived here since 2008 and I've never heard anything like this before."

Forensics officers were seen combing the scene and checking under cars yesterday and a white and yellow evidence tent was seen in the road.

Superintendent Tony Josephs, from the North West Command Unit which covers Brent, said: "This is a truly shocking incident that has left a woman dead and two others injured, and I understand the concern this will cause the local community and those across London.

“I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night and identify whoever was responsible for this heinous act of violence.

“If you were in or around Gifford Road at the time of the shooting, or have any information about who was responsible, please get in contact with us.

"A family has been left devastated and we need to work together to provide them with answers.”

Video from the scene on Sunday morning show road closures still in place as forensics continue to comb the scene.

Police vans and officers also remain on the street.

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 quoting CAD7137/14Dec.

You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.