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.

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