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Radio 1 DJ Shot Dead

Author: Jonty Adderley
Sunday, November 25, 2001
24 year old dancehall J Horrace Pinnock, who appeared on Radio 1 under his DJ name DJ Village, was shot dead this week in a north London car park after being caught up in a robbery on Jamaican reggae star Elephant Man.

The shooting happened during the early hours of Tuesday morning (20th November) outside the Plaza Hotel in Wembley and followed a fight involving up to ten men, initial police reports suggested (Ananova). Elephant Man's management also issued a statement with their own version of events, which appears on Radio 1's website.

"In the early hours of Tuesday November 20th, O'Neil Bryan, professionally known as Elephant Man was the victim of a violent robbery," it said.

"Elephant Man, who is one of Jamaica's leading entertainers and had just completed a UK tour, returned to his hotel with friends where two attackers were lying in wait for him at the hotel carpark. He was held at gunpoint by the two attackers and was robbed of all his money and jewellery.

Tragically, DJ Village, one of Elephant Man's party, was killed by a gunman at point blank range. No-one else was hurt and the assailants fled the scene. Elephant Man is devastated at the death of his friend DJ Village and his heartfelt thoughts and sympathies go out to the family and friends of DJ Village."

The incident happened just one week after two men were shot at a So Solid gig in Central London reflecting the continuing rise of gun and gangsta culture in England. Speaking to the NME this week, So Solid's Harvey suggested that British society rather than music is to blame for the violence.

"A lot of gunfire and a lot of shit happens on the streets- Harlesden, Brixton, Leytonstone, Walthamstowe, you name it," he said.

"Every side of London has guns now. It's like America, innit- A lot of shit happens, people get shot dead but you don't see it on the front page. Why my rave- Why So Solid- It's just that we're in the limelight, innit-"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/urban/news/011120_djvillage.shtml
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