The family of a man who died last week after he was shot more than 13 years ago have appealed for anyone with information about the gunmen to come forward, as police launched a murder investigation.
Marvin Couson, 39, had been confined to a hospital bed, unable to communicate or do anything for himself since he was shot in the early hours of 12 May 2002. At the time, he was with his cousin and a friend outside the Lime Bar on Curtain Road, Shoreditch, east London.
When shots were fired inside the bar, where a party packed with 600 people was taking place, Couson – fled along with others. His friend saw a red or burgundy Ford Fiesta, thought to contain at least two men, driving fast along Curtain Road. The vehicle struck him and he grappled with the front-seat passenger.
A gun was then fired and when the friend walked back towards the bar – now the Queen of Hoxton pub – Couson was lying on the ground. He had a bullet wound to his chest, with injuries to his heart and other internal organs.
After an operation at the Royal London hospital, Couson was transferred to the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability in Putney, where he remained for the next 13 years in a vegetative state until his death on 8 August 2015.
A postmortem last week gave the cause of death as brain injury suffered as a direct result of the shooting.
Couson’s sisters, Margaret and Deborah, have issued an appeal for people to come forward with any information that might help the murder investigation. A photo of their brother lying helpless in a hospital bed has been released as part of that appeal.
“Marvin’s suffering has now ended, but ours has only begun,” they said in a statement. “We have visited him every single day and he was not alone when he passed away. We want people to look at the picture of Marvin suffering and realise that this is real.
“By staying silent and not helping police, you have allowed the murderer to walk free. The person who pulled the trigger needs to be caught and we need justice for Marvin.”
DCI Noel McHugh said the police were determined to track down Couson’s killers.
“We have launched a full murder investigation and despite the passage of time are committed to finding the person who shot Marvin that night. It was 13 years ago but people would remember if they were there that night, particularly if they fled the venue in panic at the sound of shots fired.
“We know there are potential witnesses who did not speak to police at the time and I would ask them to now please come forward with any information, no matter how small. Do not assume that someone else will contact police.
“A lot changes in 13 years and maybe you knew something at the time but were too nervous to speak to us. Marvin and his family have been robbed of all the things we take for granted … His family have endured 13 horrendous years and now they no longer have Marvin and they do not have the answers they deserve.”
A man was arrested in 2002 in connection with the shooting but was released with no further action.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8785 8099 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
