Man killed in pub shooting

A man has been shot dead at a pub in Wolverhampton, sparking one of the citys biggest murder inquiries in years.

The 26-year-old, named by friends as father-of-two Luke Harris, was shot at the Bagot Arms in Whitmore Reans at 1.45am today. (16/3/08)

He was rushed to New Cross Hospital, but later died. It is thought he took a single shot to the chest.

One close friend, who did not want to be named, said Mr Harris had only popped into the pub briefly to see a friend when a man began waving a gun around.

The friend said he believed Mr Harris had not been targeted by the gunman, but instead had been shot by accident.

He said: Luke had a really good heart, his heart was warm. He doted on his two young daughters. I have lost a real friend.

Mr Harris family were too upset to talk at his mothers house in All Saints.

It is the first fatal shooting in Wolverhampton for almost four years.

The last victim was mother-of-two Hayley Davenport, who was shot in the head by her boyfriend Jarvis Johnson in May 2004.

Residents living nearby reported seeing lots of activity around the pub in recent days, but it has emerged that three wakes had been held there this week following the sudden deaths of people in the community.

This afternoon the pub in Newhampton Road West was sealed off and scenes of crimes officers were c****ing the area for evidence.

Large groups of residents gathered outside and told of their shock at Mr Harris death.

They said he was well-known in the Whitmore Reans area, where his girlfriend lived with their two young daughters.

He was also a regular user of the William Hill betting shop in the nearby Avion Shopping Centre.

Terry Matthews, aged 52, who lives in Newhampton Road West, said he was shocked to see his street full of police.

I was out walking the dog and there were police searching around the outside of the pub and all along the gra**, leading up to the church, he said. Whitmore Reans councillor Roger Lawrence described the events as very disturbing, adding that the area had seemed to be on the up after several shootings in 2006.

Armed police had to patrol the streets after shots were fired in Sweetman Street, Armstrong Drive in Dunstall, and a man was shot in the foot near the Pegasus pub in Jackson Street.

The Bagot Arms was also the scene of a shooting back in 2002, when two men were wounded in a drive-by shooting.

Detective Chief Inspector Derek Quinn, who is heading the investigation, said the inquiry was in its very early stages and that officers were keeping an open mind on the motive.

A post mortem on the victim will be held later today.

Mr Quinn urged anyone who was in the pub last night and the early hours of the morning to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bilston Street police station on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
By Becky Sharpe and Tom Edwards