Man accused of murder shot dead

A murder charge against Mr Wanoghu was dropped

A man who was once accused of a murder that inspired a mother to set up an anti-guns charity has been shot dead.

Andrew Wanoghu, 26, died in Brockley, south-east London, on Saturday, when he was shot in the back and heart.

Almost two years ago he had been due to stand trial for shooting Damien Cope, 22, outside Browns nightclub in Holborn, central London, in July 2002.

Mr Wanoghu walked free when the case was dropped and Lucy Cope then set up Mothers Against Guns.

The group campaigns for tougher sentences for gun crimes and believes those who kill with guns should be given a life sentence without parole.

Dying declaration

Mrs Cope described Mr Wanoghu's death as "very sad" and offered her condolences and support to his mother.

"I am extremely saddened. My heart goes out to his mother. It has totally robbed me of getting any justice for my child.

"This is not justice, it is not the way forward," she said.

Mr Cope was shot outside a London nightclub

Mr Wanoghu, of Deptford, south-east London, was found after reports of a shooting in Pendrell Road at about 0130 BST. He had been shot in the back and heart.

Two people are being questioned over the death.

The murder charge against Mr Wanoghu was dropped after two of the victim's friends refused to give evidence.

Other evidence that Mr Cope made a "dying declaration" naming Mr Wanoghu as his killer had also been put in doubt by other evidence, the prosecution said at the time.