Man survives point-blank shooting outside Bexleyheath club
Victim spent eight days in critical care after bullet lodged in his spine.
Incident → evidence → outcomeA 30-year-old man survived a shooting outside Arcadia Bar and Lounge in Bexleyheath on Sunday, January 4. The victim sustained life-changing injuries after being shot at point-blank range, with the bullet lodging in his spine. He spent eight days in critical care following the incident.
Investigation and Arrests
Detective Inspector Raymond Sekalongo of the Metropolitan Police's Trident firearms unit described the survival as "nothing short of a miracle". The shooting followed a minor altercation inside the nightclub, during which the victim's group was attacked as they left. Marvin Bulle, 33, was identified from ambulance dashcam footage as the individual who shot the victim. Carlos Parks, 35, was identified as the driver of the getaway car, which crashed into a lamppost approximately 100 metres from the scene. Both men abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot but were arrested within days of the shooting, identified through CCTV footage.
Firearm Recovery
The firearm used in the attack, a converted starter pistol, was recovered in Eltham in May during an unrelated investigation. Specialist forensic testing later linked the weapon to the Bexleyheath shooting. DI Sekalongo stated that the assault could easily have been fatal and highlighted the consequences of gun crime and the police's commitment to justice.
Questions this report answers
01What happened to the victim of the shooting?
The 30-year-old victim was shot at point-blank range outside a Bexleyheath club. The bullet lodged in his spine, causing life-changing injuries. He spent eight days in critical care and almost lost sight in his right eye.
02Who has been identified in connection with the shooting?
Marvin Bulle, 33, was identified from dashcam footage as the person who shot the victim. Carlos Parks, 35, was identified as the driver of the getaway car that crashed after the incident.
03What weapon was used in the attack?
The firearm used was a converted starter pistol. It was recovered in Eltham during an unrelated investigation and later linked to the shooting through forensic testing.
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