A MAJOR police investigation is underway after a man was shot at a town centre club following a mass brawl.

Anthony Bond

A MAJOR police investigation is underway after a man was shot at a town centre club following a mass brawl.

Five people were injured following the fight at the Caribbean Club in Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, shortly before 4am on Saturday morning.

More than 500 revellers were attending an event called 'Bashy Friday' which included large numbers of people from London who had travelled to the club by coach.

Four men were taken to Ipswich Hospital following the brawl. A fifth man took himself to hospital on Saturday with a gun-shot wound. None of the five, who are all from Ipswich, were seriously injured and they were released from hospital on Saturday night.

The promoter of the event, Shane Price, said the fight involved men from Ipswich against those from London.

“There was an act on stage from Ipswich,” he said “He was doing a performance and it was time for him to come off and other people to go on. The people were asking for the mic and he was throwing abusive words to the people who wanted the mic. It broke out into a big punch-up. It was Ipswich boys v London boys.”

Many residents who witnessed the brawl live in Tudor Court and Tudor Place - which is accommodation for the over 55s. Because of the level of concern by local residents, Suffolk Constabulary placed a mobile police station at the scene on Saturday morning to reassure the community.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said a number of cars pulled up during the fight which blocked off Woodbridge Road.

“There was a massive great racket and all these people were swearing and they came from behind the club. There was a group of cars blocking the road and other cars were not able to get past. I was scared and frightened. We are 55 and over in here and this is not the first time that the police have been called. I think the Caribbean Club should be closed.”

Another resident said he saw a group of people arguing. “There must have been about ten of them. I am sure one of the girls said something about shots being fired.”

A section of Woodbridge Road which was closed by police was reopened on Saturday evening. Last night the Caribbean Club remained shut while detectives and forensic teams investigated the incident.

A police spokeswoman said: “Suffolk police are renewing their appeal for anyone who was at the Caribbean Club on Woodbridge Road between 3am and 5am on Saturday morning to get in touch as they might hold vital information which could assist with this investigation. The Caribbean Club remains closed while officers are at the scene with the police pod to provide community reassurance.”

Nobody was available from the Caribbean Club for comment when contacted by the EADT.

THE shooting at the Caribbean Club on Saturday morning has brought back painful memories of the killing of a man at Zest nightclub three years ago.

Suffolk Constabulary renewed appeals for information recently following the shooting at the venue in Princes Street, Ipswich, in the early hours of Saturday, December 9, 2006.

Jimoh Plunkett, 24, from south London, was struck in the chest by one of a number of shots fired at the club. He ran into the street and collapsed. He was taken to Ipswich Hospital but sadly died. Zest has remained closed since that day.

Nobody has been convicted following the murder and a reward of �20,000 remains available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. More than 800 people attended the event - 90% of them were from London.