Community Life

Dube Egwuatu from South Norwood in Croydon almost lost his life when he was shot outside his local off-licence for wearing, he believes, an Obama T-shirt.

Dube had only popped into the shop to top up his mobile phone when he was confronted by a man who 'glared’ at his top which had an image of the then Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on the front.

"I noticed that he glared at my T-shirt and glared at me multiple times within a matter of seconds he came out with the most profound language I've ever heard", recalled Dube

As Dube tried to leave the scene, the man emerged from the house with a dog and something behind his back still shouting profanities and calling him racist names.

"It was then, I was wondering what has brought on this attack then I realise my Barack Obama T-shirt was opened so I zipped it up and headed for my car. This was clearly the case of, I hate you and I hate what you stand for and I hate the colour of your skin", explained Dube

Speaking to BBC London as he now celebrates Barack’s election, Mr Egwuatu recalls the chilling details of how an unprovoked confrontation escalated into one of the most frightening experiences of his life.

Listen to Dube's chilling story by clicking onto link below:

a terrifying experience

“I don't know if I can describe how I was feeling but I was totally scared at this point … a lot of thoughts were going through my mind ... he pointed the gun at me, at this time I froze”

“Three bangs came – bang, bang, bang - the first one hit my jaw, the second my shoulders the third my finger” … I was bleeding so much … I couldn't piece together what was happening at that time. I didn't even feel the 'bullet' go into me”

Dube was very lucky, the gun was a ball-bearing gun and not a real firearms but, the incident has left him traumatised and with a pellet still lodged in his face. He has also been left suffering from constant headaches and is now having to take medication.

According to a letter from King’s College Hospital where he was treated, “it was not possible to remove the air gun pellet as it was lying very deep in the tissue and close to the mental nerve”.

hope for better world

Despite having his life turned upside down, Dube is delighted with the election outcome and feels that he has been vindicated for his support.

“I’m so happy, prior to the results coming in, I was up all night. I got calls from friends in America I was so happy I was glad I was able to make my own little contribution to Barack winning the election. I love Barack”.

“It’s a new beginning”, he believes