Murder suspect is gunned down

Diigo

THE prime suspect in the 2002 murder of Damian Cope has been shot dead in a gangland ambush. Andrew Wanogho, 26, was gunned down on Saturday in what cops believe was a pre-planned hit.

A friend attempted first aid but he died from a single blast to the back. Wanogho was alleged to have shot dead 22-year-old Damian Cope - son of leading anti-gun campaigner Lucy Cope - outside a nightclub in July 2002.

Detectives haven't linked the two killings, but they suspect Wanogho rubbed shoulders with hardened criminals and had numerous enemies.

Damian Cope's mum, who formed anti-gun lobby group Mothers against Guns after her son's death, said yesterday: "This is not justice for Damian, this is no sort of closure. "It's very, very sad and my heart goes out to his mother. I've walked that long corridor of pain and I wouldn't wish it on anyone."

Police found Wanogho after residents in Pendrell Road, Brockley, heard gunfire at 1.30am on Saturday.
He had been driven to nearby Wickham Gardens, where a pal called 999 and attempted first aid.
By the time ambulance staff arrived, Wanogho, an amateur boxer from Lewisham, was dead. A post-mortem revealed he had been shot once in the back.

Flowers and cards now mark the spot where the killing happened, with one touching note reading: "Love by all that really knew you and never forgotten, missing you always." A woman who came to the door of the Wanogho family home in Deptford yesterday said: "We don't want to talk about his death."

Detective Chief Inspector Ashley Sharp, of Operation Trident, appealed for witnesses to come forward.
He said: "We are looking at the possibility the shot was fired by someone who had been lying in wait.
"We would be particularly interested in speaking to anyone who saw people or vehicles in Pendrell Road at the time of the shooting."

Wanogho was said to have shot dead Mr Cope outside a central London nightclub on July 29, 2002 following an argument about a park football game.

He was charged with murder but walked free in August 2004 when the case collapsed at the Old Bailey.
Information on his murder to DCI Sharpe and his officers on 020 8247 4554 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Diigo