Neighbors stunned as fugitive ‘gunman’ fleeing attempted double homicide in Canada found in luxury block in London

RESIDENTS of a luxury block in London were stunned to find they were staying next door to an alleged gunman wanted for an attempted double murder.

Usman Kassim, 41, was a fugitive from Canada and is on the country’s most wanted list for an alleged drive-by shooting in Toronto two years ago.

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But the fugitive, described by Canadian police officers as “violent, armed and dangerous”, had fled to the UK.

And he had been mingling with the south London upper class in an exclusive flat in Battersea until his arrest last month, The Mirror reported.

Canadian police allege Kassim was driving in a gray SUV in Toronto when he fired a gun at two people in another vehicle in April 2020, but the shots went wide.

Police did not give a motive for the alleged attack.

At the time, Kassim was also facing other crimes including assault, molestation and violating a probation order and a £30,000 reward for his arrest.

Then, while on the run in October last year, a woman reported being held at gunpoint in a parking lot.

Kassim is said to have threatened her and driven her to a nearby gas station.

The fugitive was found at the scene but escaped after ramming a police car.

He later fled Canada and an Interpol alert was issued over his capture.

Until last month, Kassim had stayed under the radar, living in a luxury gated community overlooking Battersea Park, where apartments can cost as much as £1million.

The block has communal facilities and has a swimming pool, roof terrace and spa.

It was only after Met officials arrested Kassim that they discovered his warrant in Canada.

The 41-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court via video link last Monday.

He faces extradition on 10 counts, including two counts of attempted murder.

Kassim has been remanded in custody to appear in court next week.

Toronto police here confirmed his arrest, saying: “Usman Kassim is wanted for attempted murder and is in the top 25 list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives.”

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