Police: Gang members were in club

DETECTIVES hunting the killer behind Ipswich's club shooting today revealed they believe members of a notorious London gang embroiled in other recent gun killings were in the nightclub at the time.

But the officers investigating the shooting of Londoner Jimoh Plunkett have stressed they do not believe the murder was directly connected to the killings which have brought gun crime to the top of the national agenda.

The 24-year-old was shot in the chest at Zest nightclub in the early hours of December 9 and died later at Ipswich Hospital.

Police are yet to catch his killer and are confident that the key lies in London but detective superintendent Dave Cole, who is leading the hunt, said there is no evidence to suggest recent shootings in the capital are connected to Mr Plunkett's death.

He said: “There has been significant activity in south London over the last few weeks but the criminal profile of that is different to Zest.

“They (the London victims) are youngsters and those involved in Zest are young men or young adults. The shootings in London are cold-blooded as opposed to a knee jerk reaction in an open environment.

“I don't think there is a direct connection and no evidence has come out of them (the London shootings) to say they are linked to Zest at all.”

Det supt Cole said he believed gangs were in Zest on the night of the murder, including the Peel Dem Crew (PDC) who are based in Brixton.

He added: “The emerging picture is that there might be some connection with gang culture but I do not think that Jimoh was a gang member and I am considering the fact that he was not the intended victim.

“PDC are one of the gangs that are significant in London and I believe that some of the individuals in that gang might have been in the club on that night. One of the signs of membership is to have it (PDC) tattooed on to your neck.”

Det supt Cole said Mr Plunkett, who lived in the New Cross area of London, was killed by a bullet fired from a close distance but said this did not mean he was the intended target.

He said shots were fired in a dark nightclub, by an unauthorised firearm which meant “shots could go all over the place”.

Three other people were also shot in the club and needed hospital treatment.

Anyone with information about the shootings should call the incident room at Suffolk police on 01473 782000, text 07624800174 or e-mail zestshooting@suffolk.pnn.police.uk. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Did you know Mr Plunkett? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.