Jimoh Plunkett Pic: Suffolk Police

Almost seven years after 24-year-old Jimoh Plunkett from New Cross was shot dead in an Ipswich nightclub, a coroner has ruled his death unlawful.

Plunket, of New Cross Road, was shot in Zest Nightclub on Princes Street, in the early hours of Saturday, 9 December, 2006.

He managed to stumble out of the club before collapsing. He was found alive at the scene, but died two hours later of a chest wound in Ipswich hospital.

Although police made 18 arrests as part of the inquiry, no one has ever been charged in connection with the murder. Police have said Plunket was not associated with gang culture.

Giving evidence at the enquiry, Suffolk Police’s Acting Detective Inspector Trevor Prior said atmosphere at the venue, which was packed with over 800 people, was “hostile and aggressive”.

Although the club did have CCTV cameras, images were not of sufficient quality to clearly identify people.

It did however show a group of males and females enter the club at 1.34am and go to an area where a fight broke out.

After briefly leaving, the group returned just before 2am. Despite being denied re-entry, a number forced their way past door staff.

At 2.05am a number of shots were fired at an area where Plunket was sitting. Three other people were injured.

Peter Dean, Suffolk’s senior coroner, called the death “very sad” and urged anyone with information to contact the police.

Acting Detective Inspector Prior added: “Most definitely there are people out there who know, or have information, about the persons responsible for this.

“What I hope is that, after nearly seven years, allegiances change and people can feel strong enough to come forward and provide that evidence so that we can have a successful prosecution.”

Zest Nightclub was closed by police and Ipswich Borough Council following the incident, but  has since re-opened under new management and a new name.