A Nigerian man based in the United Kingdom, Oluwadamilola Ogunyankinnu, has been charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of 21-year-old film student Finbar Sullivan at Primrose Hill in London. The incident occurred on Tuesday when Sullivan, who had gone to the scenic park to test a camera he purchased for his 21st birthday, reportedly got into a scuffle with Ogunyankinnu. The Metropolitan Police identified Ogunyankinnu as the suspect and arrested him on Friday. He was formally charged with murder on Sunday and appeared at Stratford Magistrates’ Court in East London on Monday.
Sullivan’s father, Christopher, an artist, received a call from a friend and rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, he found his son’s body with multiple stab wounds. He told The Times that a friend had performed more than 20 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but the fatal injury was a deep stab to the leg that severed an artery, causing massive blood loss. “I got an Uber up to Primrose Hill. There was a police cordon and I could not get through. When I explained who I was, an officer said they were going to get someone from CID to speak to me. He said, ‘I am sorry, your son is dead,’” Christopher recounted, expressing his heartbreak.
During the court hearing, the 27-year-old defendant denied the charges, insisting, “I didn’t kill anybody. I didn’t stab anybody. Police got the wrong person.” The court remanded him in custody, and he is scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday. Sullivan, described by loved ones as “lovely,” was a student at the London Screen Academy and had a growing interest in video production under the name “Sully Shot It.” His work followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, renowned New Zealander cinematographer Michael Seresin.
Popular British musician George Alan O’Dowd, known professionally as Boy George, paid tribute to the victim, revealing that Sullivan was the son of his longtime friend, Chris Sullivan. “It’s my friend Chris Sullivan’s boy. Devastated by the news. I hope Chris is with people who can support him through this. It’s the saddest news ever. I love Chris. Known him since the late 70s,” O’Dowd said. The tragedy has drawn widespread attention across the UK, with many mourning the loss of a young talent with a promising future in film. The case is expected to continue to unfold in the coming weeks as the legal process moves forward.
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