Byron Cole has been found guilty of the 2025 murder of Anthony Morrison, who was attending a funeral wake on Imperial Way when he was fatally shot.
Murderer: Byron Cole awaits sentencing
Byron Cole, aged 40, of Gleneldon Road, Streatham, was found guilty by a jury at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday. Cole was also convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Morrison was 41 when killed on June 19 last year.
The investigation was conducted by detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.
Detective Chief Inspector Dan Whitten, who led the investigation, said: “Our thoughts today are with Anthony’s family and friends at this difficult time. We hope that today’s verdict will bring a measure of comfort to his loved ones.
“This conviction would have been impossible without the willingness of witnesses to come forward. I would like to commend them for their bravery in doing so.
“We hope this investigation demonstrates the Met’s unwavering commitment to removing the most high-harm offenders from our communities and ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.”
Police were called to Imperial Way, off the busy A23 Purley Way, just after 5 o’clock on Thursday June 19 last year. They found Morrison “who had suffered gunshot injuries”. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cole was arrested three days later.
Shot dead: Anthony Morrison was 41 when killed while attending a funeral
A search of Cole’s address found a gun hidden behind brickwork in a communal area. Forensic scientists identified Cole’s DNA on the weapon – though this was not the gun used in the fatal shooting.
The Met’s press statement omits to state whether the murder weapon was ever recovered, though they said that their detectives built “a detailed understanding” of Cole’s movements after the murder, “where he sought to alter his appearance and dispose of incriminating items to avoid prosecution”.
Cole’s sentencing date is yet to be set.
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