By SCM International Desk I Saturday, August 08,2026
A COLD-BLOODED killer faces life behind bars today for executing an 18-year-old outside a bustling Wembley nightclub.
Gunman Ashley Wallace, 40, shot helpless teenager Tyrece Balcha following a tense row outside the venue in South Way, Wembley, in the early hours of September 21, 2025.
On Friday, an Old Bailey jury found Wallace guilty of murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life following a painstaking investigation by Metropolitan Police detectives.
The court heard how emergency services rushed to the scene at around 5:30 am after frantic 999 calls reported gunshots fired in the street.
Tragic Tyrece—who had celebrated his 18th birthday just eight weeks earlier—was found lying on the pavement suffering from severe gunshot wounds.
Paramedics battled to save the young victim before rushing him to hospital, but he tragically died four days later on Thursday, September 25.
TRAPPED BY DNA
Detectives from the Met Police launched an immediate murder probe, interviewing clubgoers and piecing together hours of local CCTV footage.
Reconstruction of the timeline revealed that Tyrece had been involved in an altercation outside the nightspot before being chased down the street and shot.
Wallace then made a desperate bid to escape, speeding away from the murder scene in a getaway car parked nearby.
However, the killer’s freedom was short-lived. On the day Tyrece died, armed officers tracked Wallace down to a vehicle parked in South East London.
A thorough search of the car uncovered a deadly revolver hidden inside. Forensic specialists later discovered Wallace’s DNA on the weapon, while ballistics experts matched a bullet recovered from the crime scene directly to the seized firearm.
DCI Phil Clarke, who led the murder hunt, praised the victim’s family for their “remarkable dignity and patience” throughout the trial.
He added: “My team used CCTV and forensic evidence, which allowed them to build a remarkably detailed picture of the murder, leading to today’s conviction.”
MUM’S HEARTBREAK
In a moving statement following the guilty verdict, Tyrece’s heartbroken mother, Bonnie, described her son as a loving young man whose life was cruelly stolen.
She said: “Today’s verdict brings a measure of justice for Tyrece, and we are grateful Ashley Wallace has been found guilty of his cold and senseless murder.
”While this verdict is important, it does not bring our son back or ease the pain we have lived with every day since we lost him. Tyrece’s life was cruelly taken from him 8 weeks after he had turned 18 years old. He was a loving son, brother and friend with the biggest heart, an infectious smile and a personality that drew people towards him.
”Our hearts have been shattered. His sisters miss him every day, and his little brother had only just turned one year old when Tyrece died and will never truly get the chance to know him.”
Bonnie also thanked officers and members of the public for their support, adding that the family will ensure Tyrece is remembered for the wonderful person he was rather than how he died.
Wallace, of Shenley Road, Southwark, was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on a date to be set.
At the same trial, two men were cleared of murder, while a woman was found not guilty of firearm charges and perverting the course of justice. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on a fourth man.
