Police Investigating Murder Make Two Arrests in Chiswick


Man and woman detained in connection with killing in shopping centre

Michael Ugwa
Michael Ugwa. Picture: Essex Police

Police investigating the killing of a man in a shopping centre in Essex have arrested two people in Chiswick this Wednesday (4 May).

A 22-year-old man, named as Muhammad Khan of Ilford, has been subsequently charged with murder and affray and is due to appear at Southend Magistrates' Court. The 54-year-old Croydon woman he was detained with was questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender and later released under investigation.

They were detained in connection with the killing of 29-year-old Michael Ugwa at the Lakeside Shopping centre shortly before 4.30pm on Thursday (28 April). He was attacked near the food court and died of his wounds at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics.

Two people had already been charged in connection with the investigation. 19- year-old Brandon Lutchmunsing, of Grafton Road, Dagenham has been charged with murder and affray and 20-year-old Shannon Weston, of Paddocks Close, Canewdon has been charged with assisting an offender.

They were both next due to appear at Basildon Crown Court on Friday (6 May).

Paying tribute to Michael, his mother said in a statement, "Michael was a kind man with a large personality and an even larger heart. He was special to a great many people and so it is with great sorrow that we are writing about his untimely passing.

"Within his family, there isn't a single person among us who doesn't have a good story or fond memory of Michael and as we receive the condolences of many people. We are humbled by just how many lives he touched during his short stay on this Earth.

"As with many people, he was not a man without fault but, his desire to always try to better himself and strive for a brighter tomorrow made him a rich source of inspiration to not only his children, cousins, nieces and nephews but also to everyone who desired to see that silver lining.

"From being the first to step up when a member of the family was homeless and took them, to being the last to leave when his brother, my son, went through surgery, you could always count on him to be the staunchest supporter in your corner, a privilege that those of us, his family, were especially privy to.

"He was truly a gift that kept giving, a loving and supportive partner to his would-have-been wife, a great father to his three children, a caring brother, and a pillar of support to me, his mum, and wider family in general, including his aunts, uncles and all his cousins.”

Detective Chief Inspector Ashley Howard, who’s leading the investigation, said, “As these charges highlight, our investigation is progressing but doesn’t stop.

“We still believe this attack was directed towards the victim and that the incident poses no ongoing threat to people shopping, eating, and socialising at Lakeside.

“We continue to make inquiries and need anyone who has any information who has not identified themselves to police, to contact us.”

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May 7, 2022