Arrest made in connection with Oyebola shooting
Posted: 28 Jul 2007, 07:19
From the BBC;
A man has been arrested by police investigating the murder of a former British heavyweight boxer during a row over smoking.
James Oyebola, 47, was shot at the back of Chateau 6 in Fulham Road, south-west London, early on Monday, after asking customers to put out their cigarettes.
He died in hospital on Thursday after his life support was switched off.
Police said a 19-year-old man had been arrested in West London on Saturday morning and was currently in custody.
Doctors at Charing Cross Hospital declared Mr Oyebola brain dead on Thursday.
'Saddest times'
A statement from Mr Oyebola's family said: "James's family would like to thank and praise the valiant efforts of the critical care unit at Charing Cross Hospital.
"The family would also like to say thank you for the world wide support they have received but would ask that their privacy be respected in this very sad moment of time."
The family said a charity foundation would be set up in his name to help keep local children off the streets.
Boxing promoter Frank Maloney said: "James had to fight tooth and nail for everything he achieved in life and then he dedicated himself to encouraging young kids to do the same.
"This is one of the saddest times I have ever experienced."
Officers from Operation Trident, which deals with gun violence within the black community, have searched three addresses in the Wandsworth area in connection with the shooting.
Police said they were continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward.
Three suspects
They said the ex-boxer was shot after asking three men to stop smoking in a covered courtyard area at the back of the bar, on the Fulham Road.
They believe three black suspects, aged between 19 and 25, ran from the club in separate directions.
Mr Oyebola, who was born in Nigeria, won 18 of his 23 fights and was a bronze medallist at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.
He won the WBC international heavyweight title in 1993 and retired in 1996.
A man has been arrested by police investigating the murder of a former British heavyweight boxer during a row over smoking.
James Oyebola, 47, was shot at the back of Chateau 6 in Fulham Road, south-west London, early on Monday, after asking customers to put out their cigarettes.
He died in hospital on Thursday after his life support was switched off.
Police said a 19-year-old man had been arrested in West London on Saturday morning and was currently in custody.
Doctors at Charing Cross Hospital declared Mr Oyebola brain dead on Thursday.
'Saddest times'
A statement from Mr Oyebola's family said: "James's family would like to thank and praise the valiant efforts of the critical care unit at Charing Cross Hospital.
"The family would also like to say thank you for the world wide support they have received but would ask that their privacy be respected in this very sad moment of time."
The family said a charity foundation would be set up in his name to help keep local children off the streets.
Boxing promoter Frank Maloney said: "James had to fight tooth and nail for everything he achieved in life and then he dedicated himself to encouraging young kids to do the same.
"This is one of the saddest times I have ever experienced."
Officers from Operation Trident, which deals with gun violence within the black community, have searched three addresses in the Wandsworth area in connection with the shooting.
Police said they were continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward.
Three suspects
They said the ex-boxer was shot after asking three men to stop smoking in a covered courtyard area at the back of the bar, on the Fulham Road.
They believe three black suspects, aged between 19 and 25, ran from the club in separate directions.
Mr Oyebola, who was born in Nigeria, won 18 of his 23 fights and was a bronze medallist at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.
He won the WBC international heavyweight title in 1993 and retired in 1996.
