Archive: John Lennon shot dead in New York

7 December 2010 Last updated at 15:43 ET Help

Former Beatle John Lennon was shot dead outside his New York apartment on the night of 8 December 1980.

The 40-year-old was shot several times as he entered the Dakota, his luxury apartment building on Manhattan's Upper West Side.

Mark Chapman was convicted of Lennon's murder and sentenced to life in prison.

The BBC's Tom Brook was the first British journalist on the scene.

As the UK awoke to news of the killing, he spoke to Brian Redhead on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

First broadcast 9 December 1980.

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