A murder investigation has been launched following the death of Marvin Couson (39), who was confined to a hospital bed since being shot in 2002.

Mr Couson had been confined to a hospital bed unable to communicate or do anything for himself since the incident in May 2002. He died in hospital on Saturday, 8 August. A post-mortem examination on Wednesday, 12 August at Croydon mortuary gave cause of death as brain injury suffered as a direct result of the shooting.

An investigation has been opened at the Homicide and Major Crime Command under Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh.

DCI McHugh said: "For 13 years Marvin's family have been at his bedside and now tragically he has succumbed to the injuries he suffered all those years ago.

"We have launched a full murder investigation and despite the passage of time are committed to finding the person who shot Marvin that night."

Police were called at 03.40hrs on Saturday, 12 May 2002 to reports of gunfire at the Lime in London Bar - commonly known as the Lime Bar - in Curtain Road, Shoreditch EC2.

On arrival, officers found Marvin, then aged 26 and of Dallington Road, West Norwood, on the ground outside the bar with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken by ambulance to the Royal London Hospital in a critical condition with injuries to his heart and other internal organs.

After an operation he was transferred to the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability in Putney. He was unable to care for himself or leave his hospital bed. He could not communicate and had no capacity to understand anything said to him.

Police were informed by the hospital that he died at 22:40hrs on 8 August.

Marvin had visited the Lime Bar with his cousin and a friend on 12 May 2002. In the early hours they fled, along with a large number of other people, after shots were fired inside the bar.

Outside Marvin's friend saw a red or burgundy Ford Fiesta, thought to contain at least two black men, driving fast along Curtain Road. The vehicle struck him and he grappled with the front seat passenger.

A gun was then fired and the friend walked back towards the bar to see Marvin lying shot on the ground.

Trident officers took on the case and made several appeals for witnesses and information. Around 600 people were inside the venue at the time for a commercial party and 200-300 of them congregated in the street after shots were fired inside the club.

One man was arrested during the course of the investigation, on 23 May 2002, but subsequently released with no further action.

DCI McHugh added: "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, he was at the Lime Bar simply for a night out with friends and this should not have happened. His family have endured 13 horrendous years and now they no longer have Marvin and they do not have the answers they deserve.

"I would ask those reluctant to speak to police to look at the picture of Marvin lying in his hospital bed and think of his mum and dad when pondering 'do I make that call?'

"Maybe you have heard talk over the years about Marvin's shooting - if you can help please contact us."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8785 8099 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(MH)