Billy McCullagh

Billy McCullagh was shot in a gang ride-out in Windrush Road, Harlesden at about 3am on 16 July 2020.

Although the rival gang members that shot him were never identified, three of his friends that he had gone out with were convicted of his murder.

Billy McCullagh had been a member of the 'violent street gang'. They had gone to the Stonebridge Estate in Harlesden in a stolen Land Rover car from St Raphael’s Estate in Brent, in the early hours of 16 July 2020 and started a gun fight there. The Stonebridge Estate was described as being the territory of their sworn rivals. They had gone there armed with two guns with the intention of shooting a rival gang member in revenge for the murder of one of their gang members the day before. However, when they arrived, their vehicle was shot at and Billy McCullagh was hit and killed.

When they arrived in Windrush Road on the estate they encountered a large group of people and numerous shots were exchange by both sides. Billy McCullagh had got out of the Land Rover car and was hit twice. Another gang member was also shot in the leg. The Land Rover car then sped off, leaving Billy McCullagh there.

They afterwards set fire to the Land Rover.

When the judge sentenced the other three gang members, he said, 'Billy McCullagh died a very public death, gunned down in a hail of bullets on the Stonebridge estate. I accept that the three of you never realised you would end up in the dock accused of Billy McCullagh's murder. But anyone in this country who willingly participates in a gun battle in the street should not be surprised if the law holds him accountable for any loss of life as a result'.

Although the three fellow 'violent street gang' members were convicted of his murder, the police said that they would continue to search for the persons who fired the fatal shots. They said, 'While these convictions bring this aspect of the investigation to a close, it still leaves a significant part open. We have not identified the person or persons responsible for firing the shots that killed Billy McCullagh. We will continue to pursue lines of enquiry and will work tirelessly to find those responsible'.

Billy McCullagh had been known as Billy the kid.