In the fading light of a spring evening on April 7, 2026, a brief, heated exchange at Primrose Hill’s scenic viewpoint escalated into fatal violence. 21-year-old filmmaking student Finbar Sullivan was testing a new birthday camera when, according to witnesses and circulating accounts, someone confronted him with words interpreted by some as a sharp three-word assertion — variations of “Filming Not” or “Why are you filming me?” — moments before the situation turned deadly. A short 20-second clip, allegedly showing part of that final argument and the ensuing fight, has emerged as potentially pivotal evidence in the case against the man charged with his murder.

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Emergency services and police at the Primrose Hill viewpoint after the stabbing on April 7, 2026. The popular north London spot, known for its panoramic city views, became the scene of a sudden and tragic confrontation.

Finbar Sullivan, often called “Sully” or operating as “Sully Shot It,” was a passionate aspiring filmmaker and videographer studying at the London Screen Academy. His family has repeatedly emphasised that he was not involved in gang activity; he was simply doing what he loved — capturing moments through his lens, frequently working on music videos in the UK drill and rap scene. His father, Christopher Sullivan, paid an emotional tribute: “He’d just bought a new camera… and he took it up there to do a bit of filming.” He described his son as “a beautiful, lovely, outgoing, loving boy” who “can never be replaced.” Finbar’s grandfather, acclaimed cinematographer Michael Seresin, added a layer of cinematic heritage to the young man’s promising but now-lost future.

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Finbar Sullivan, 21, remembered fondly as a creative, kind young man with a passion for film and photography.

The Alleged Trigger: A Dispute Over Filming

The confrontation appears to have centred on Sullivan’s use of his camera in a public space. Social media discussions and witness descriptions point to a verbal challenge — with the phrase “Filming Not” or similar wording gaining traction online as the possible three-word assertion uttered seconds before violence erupted. A short clip reportedly capturing the argument has circulated, showing youths clashing, with knives visible in some bystander footage that quickly spread across platforms and was viewed hundreds of thousands of times.

In a city where public filming can occasionally spark sensitivities — whether due to privacy concerns, street tensions, or perceived intrusion — the exchange reportedly turned physical almost instantly. Finbar suffered multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene despite paramedic efforts. Another man in his 20s was stabbed nearby on Regent’s Park Road and survived with non-life-threatening injuries.

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The iconic Primrose Hill viewpoint overlooking the London skyline — a place typically associated with relaxation, photography, and sunsets, now linked to this tragedy.

The Accused and Court Proceedings

27-year-old Oliuwadamilola Ogunyankinnu, from Southbury Road in Enfield, north London, has been charged with the murder of Finbar Sullivan. During his appearance at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on April 13, 2026, he told the court: “I didn’t kill anybody. I didn’t stab anybody. Police got the wrong person.” He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, April 15.

A second man, 18-year-old Khalid Abdulqadir of Camden, has also been charged in connection with the incident, facing counts including grievous bodily harm with intent, violent disorder, and possession of a knife. He is due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.

Ogunyankinnu’s strong denial in court sets up what could be a closely contested case at the Central Criminal Court, where evidence — including any available video — will be examined in detail.

The 20-Second Clip and the Ongoing Search for the Witness

The 20-second clip allegedly showing the final argument has become a focal point of both the police investigation and intense online debate. While some footage of the fight has circulated publicly, a key piece of evidence remains the video recorded by a young woman or teenager seen filming the incident shortly before the stabbing.

Metropolitan Police continue their urgent appeal for this witness, described as wearing a pink vest (or pink shirt/top), blue denim shorts, and black trainers. Detective Inspector Andy Griffin, leading the investigation, has stressed that her footage is “vital evidence” that could help establish the precise sequence of events, clarify the context of the filming dispute, and provide critical context to the confrontation.

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Police appeal for the key witness — a young woman or teenager in a pink vest, blue denim shorts, and black trainers — who filmed the fight. Her video could prove crucial to understanding what happened in those fateful moments.

She is not suspected of any offence and is being treated solely as a significant witness. Police and media reports indicate she has not yet come forward publicly, with some speculation online suggesting she has been difficult to locate. Anyone who knows her identity or has information about the incident is urged to contact the Metropolitan Police via 101 (quoting the relevant CAD reference), the major incident portal, or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Social Media Stir and Broader Implications

The three-word assertion — whether exactly “Filming Not” or a close variant — continues to fuel discussion and speculation across social media platforms. Some users analyse the circulating clips frame by frame, debating the context of the filming dispute, while others highlight the dangers faced by content creators, especially those working in or around the UK drill music scene.

The case has also reignited wider conversations about knife crime in London, even in seemingly safe, scenic public spaces like Primrose Hill. It raises uncomfortable questions about how quickly a verbal disagreement over something as commonplace as filming in public can escalate to lethal violence.

Finbar Sullivan’s family continues to grieve a young man described as full of life and creativity. As the legal proceedings advance at the Old Bailey, the 20-second clip — and the still-missing witness video — may hold answers that could significantly shape the narrative of what unfolded atop Primrose Hill that evening.

For now, a father mourns his son, investigators seek clarity through crucial footage, and online debates swirl around a brief phrase that, according to reports, preceded a moment of unimaginable loss.