John Lennon was killed December 8, 1980 outside his apartment building in New York.

The following text was filed by AP reporter Rick Hampson in his story, “World Mourns John Lennon; Accused Attacker Is Charged.”

Former Beatle John Lennon, who catapulted to stardom with the long-haired British rock group in the 1960s, was shot to death late Monday as he entered his luxury apartment building on Manhattan's Upper West Side, police said.

Authorities said Lennon, 40, was rushed in a police car to nearby Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

Doctors said there was no chance to save Lennon. They said he suffered seven severe wounds in his chest, back and left arm, but they did not know how many bullets had hit Lennon. Dr. Stephen Lynn said, "I am sure he was dead when he was shot."

Chief of Detectives James Sullivan said Lennon and his wife were walking through the Dakota's big, arched entryway about 10:50 p.m. when a man approached them and fired five shots from a .38-caliber pistol. Lennon yelled "I'm shot" and staggered up a few steps into the building and collapsed, he said.

The assailant dropped the gun and was waiting when police arrived, Sullivan said.

Police Officer Anthony Palma said officers found Lennon lying face down in the office of the nine-story apartment building and carried him to a patrol car. Miss Ono was taken to the hospital in another car, he said.

Palma said she became hysterical when doctors told her that Lennon was dead. "Tell me it isn't true," he quoted her as crying.

Sullivan announced about three hours after the shooting that Mark David Chapman, 25, of Hawaii had been charged with murder in the case.

Below are images of Lennon’s life and the aftermath of his killing.

The Beatles, from left, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and George Harrison, are shown rehearsing in a studio, in London, England, Oct. 1, 1963. (AP Photo)

Labour Party leader Harold Wilson is pictured with The Beatles, from left, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, George Harrison and Paul McCartney, during the Variety Club of Great Britain's "Show Business Personality" presentation ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel in London, March 19, 1963. (AP Photo)

The Beatles, from left, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, arrive at Speke airport, Liverpool on July 10, 1964, for the Liverpool premiere of their movie "A Hard Day's Night." (AP Photo)

Britain's pop quartet The Beatles arrived almost unnoticed at the Hippodrome, Birmingham, Nov. 10, 1963, dressed as policemen. They are George Harrison, third left, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Ringo Starr in front. Others in picture are real policemen. (AP Photo)

The Beatles pose with their medals during a press conference in London after being made members of the Order of the British Empire, Oct. 26, 1965. The medals were presented to them by the Queen at Buckingham Palace. (AP Photo)

John Lennon, member of the British pop group The Beatles, falls while skiing while on holiday, near St. Moritz, Switzerland, Jan. 28, 1965. (AP Photo)

Wearing crash helmet and goggles, Beatle John Lennon, right, sits in the brakeman position for a bobsled ride with British Olympic Gold medallist Tony Nash, at St. Moritz, Switzerland, Feb. 8, 1965. Lennon was on a private skiing holiday with his wife, Cynthia, unseen. (AP Photo)

John Lennon of the Beatles emerges from the surf at Miami, Florida in February 1964. In background, left, is Ringo Starr with an unidentified woman. (AP Photo)

The Beatles, from left, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon, appear at EMI Studios in London, June 24, 1967. (AP Photo)

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, considered as the "spiritual father" of the Beatles sits amidst George Harrison, left and John Lennon, during the UNICEF gala at the Palais du Chaillot in Paris, December 15, 1967. (AP Photo)

John Lennon, right, is seen with his wife Yoko Ono at a press conference in 1969. (AP Photo)

John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono share an Eskimo kiss (rubbing noses) during an interview in London, Feb. 9, 1970. Both had their hair shorn in Denmark to be auctioned off in London. The proceeds will go to the Black Power organization in Britain. (AP Photo/Bob Dear)

John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono are seen at the Cannes Film Festival, May 18, 1971. Lennon carries Ono's art book "Grapefruit" in his jacket. (AP Photo/Michel Lipchitz)

Former Beatle John Lennon, left, and his wife Yoko Ono, leave the Immigration and Naturalization Service, at 20 West Broadway, March 16, 1972, New York. His case was postponed and comes up in April. (AP Photo/Anthony Camerano)

Former Beatle John Lennon performs during a charity concert to benefit mentally challenged children at Madison Square Garden, Aug. 30, 1972, New York. (AP Photo/Dave Pickoff)

Former Beatle John Lennon performs during the One To One concert, a charity to benefit mentally challenged children at New York's Madison Square Garden, Aug. 30, 1972. (AP Photo)

John Lennon, right, and his wife, Yoko Ono, arrive at The Hit Factory, a recording studio in New York City, Aug 22, 1980. (AP Photo/Steve Sands)

People participating in a tribute to the slain musician John Lennon wave the peace sign and sing "Give Peace A Chance" at New York's Central Park, Dec. 14, 1980. (AP Photo/Carlos Rene Perez)

John Lennon fans continue their vigil outside the Dakota apartment building, Dec. 10, 1980, raising their hands with the peace sign and listening to Beatles' music. (AP Photo/David Bookstaver

An unidentified woman weeps during the ten minute silent vigil for John Lennon held in front of Trinity Church in Boston, Dec. 14, 1980. A crowd of 2,000 came to honor the fomer Beatle who was murdered in New York last Monday night, December 8. (AP … — An unidentified woman weeps during the ten minute silent vigil for John Lennon held in front of Trinity Church in Boston, Dec. 14, 1980. A crowd of 2,000 came to honor the fomer Beatle who was murdered in New York last Monday night, December 8. (AP Photo)

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