A British drug dealer who accidentally shot his best friend dead during a botched drive-by shooting has been reminded of his crime 15 years on, as the full story of his betrayal and cowardice resurfaces. This is a tale of street violence, loyalty thrown away, and the cold reality of gun culture that should serve as a warning to our own youth in Zambia.
How did a drug dealer shoot his own friend?
Anthony McGivern, known on the streets as Leech, was behind the wheel of a stolen Ford Fiesta with fake plates on August 30, 2011. Next to him sat his best friend and accomplice, Kevin Gott. The pair were out for blood, targeting members of the Larkhill Crew, a rival gang they had fallen out with over drugs in Liverpool.
But as McGivern tried to drive and fire a 9mm gun at the same time, tragedy struck. He blasted Gott in the back of the head at point blank range. The bullet hit the back of his friend's hoodie as he sat helpless in the passenger seat.
What did McGivern do after shooting his friend?
Here is where the story turns from tragic to disgusting. Even with his friend slumped dead beside him, McGivern made a second attempt to shoot the Larkhill targets. He then dumped Gott's body in a gutter on Brayfield Road, Norris Green, like rubbish. To cover his tracks, he set the car on fire.
When questioned, McGivern lied to Gott's own mother about how her son died. He even vowed to find those responsible, all while knowing full well that he was the one who pulled the trigger.
What sentence did the judge hand down?
Judge Clement Goldstone QC jailed McGivern for life with a minimum term of 30 years in 2012. The judge did not hold back: “You will live the rest of your life with the death of your friend on your conscience.”
McGivern burst into tears and ran from the dock as his family fell to their knees. But the judge was unmoved, telling him that by the time he is eligible for release, he will be 55 years old and many of the people he loves will no longer be alive.
What lesson can Zambia take from this British tragedy?
This story from the streets of Liverpool carries a message that resonates far beyond the UK. Guns destroy lives, families, and friendships. In Zambia, we pride ourselves on our unity and our respect for one another. We do not need foreign street gangs or their violent ways on our soil.
As the senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector David Brunskill, said: “Anyone who carries a gun can only have one real purpose and that is to inflict serious harm on others.” Our Zambian police must remain vigilant, and our communities must speak up against anyone bringing weapons into our neighborhoods.
Let this be a lesson: crime has no friends, only victims. Zed Nation stands for peace, unity, and the Zambian way. Let us keep it that way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Anthony McGivern?
Anthony McGivern, also known as Leech, was a 25-year-old drug dealer from Anfield, Liverpool, who accidentally shot and killed his best friend during a drive-by shooting in 2011.
How did Kevin Gott die?
Kevin Gott was shot in the back of the head at point blank range by McGivern, who was trying to drive and fire a gun at the same time during a drive-by attack on a rival gang.
What was the sentence for the shooting?
McGivern was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 30 years in 2012.