Gunman on shooting rampage in Northern England

[philw]

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/gunman-on-shooting-rampage-in-northern-england/story-e6frfku0-1225874734663

A GUNMAN has shot several people while on a rampage in Northern England.

Police said at least one person was believed to have been killed after the gunman opened fire in the coastal town of Whitehaven shortly after 10.30am local time (7.30pm AEST).

A local radio station, Radio Cumbria, reported at least four people were feared dead.

The gunman, believed to be 52-year-old Derrick Bird, is also believed to have fired shots in the nearby northwest English towns of Seascale and Egremont.

"We can confirm that a number of people have been injured after shots were fired in the Whitehaven, Seascale and Egremont areas this morning," a Cumbria police spokesman said.

"There are a number of fatalities and police are working to identify the individuals and inform relatives.

"Ambulance crews are in attendance across the area."

In Whitehaven, locals reported seeing a body covered by a black sheet at a taxi rank.

Police have cordoned off the area and have warned residents to stay indoors.

http://www.news.com.au/world/gunman-derrick-bird-found-dead-after-shooting-spree-in-northern-england/story-e6frfkyi-1225874745539

Gunman's body found in woodland
Ten people feared dead in shootings
Taxi rank dispute reportedly behind killings
POLICE have found the body of a cab-driver suspected of killing at least ten people in a three-and-a-half hour shooting spree in northern England.

Derrick Bird, 52, was found in woodland near Boot, Cumbria, by police. He had shot himself, sources said.

Witnesses described horrific scenes of the gunman shooting his victims in the head at point-blank range

Sky News sources said the shooting was related to a dispute at a taxi stand in the town.

Mr Bird had recently become a grandfather and lived alone. He was described as a "quiet man" who was a "very difficult man to drag a conversation out of".

"Police apprehending a man suspected of shooting a number of people across West Cumbria this morning have located a body believed to be that of Derrick Bird in a wooded area near Boot," a police statement said.

"Police have seized a gun from the scene and are now working to formally confirm the identity of the deceased and the number of people injured or dead."

Police confirmed to Sky News that a number of people had been killed and injured in the shooting, which began at around 10.35am (7.30pm AEST) in the coastal town of Whitehaven and continued across two other areas in the county.

Sky News sources indicated that one person was shot dead outside a beautician's store in Whitehaven, and a further two died in the village of Seascale, one of whom was in a car.

"We can confirm that a number of people have been injured after shots were fired in the Whitehaven, Seascale and Egremont areas this morning," a police spokesman said.

"There are a number of fatalities and police are working to identify the individuals and inform relatives. Ambulance crews are in attendance across the area."

Armed officers warned local residents to stay indoors as they searched the area for Bird.

Witness Alan Hannah said he fled from Whitehaven after he saw the gunman leaning out of a car window.

"I was waiting at a red light and looked around the corner. I saw a man with a shotgun at the window which had been shattered. It looked like quite a big shotgun. I just went through the red light and got the hell out of Whitehaven," he told Sky News.

Helen Owens, who works at a solicitors office in the town, said one of her colleagues saw a dead man on the street.

“We heard a couple of gunshots and the police running about," she told the News & Star.

“One of our secretaries was out at the time and she saw a guy lying dead on the ground covered with a sheet - she saw his trainers (sneakers) sticking out.

“We have also heard there was another shooting at Morrisons (supermarket) car park, which is about five minutes away. We have the door locked.”

[BAC]

Sad news.

[billt]

How can this be in a country with "strict, national gun control"?   Bill T.

[ericire12]

How can this be in a country with "strict, national gun control"?   Bill T.

Its un-possible

[tombogan03884]

How can this be in a country ISLAND with "strict, national gun control"?   Bill T.

Fixed   

[Sponsor]

[billt]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37467424/ns/world_news-europe/?GT1=43001

"The rampage in Cumbria was the deadliest mass shooting since 1996 in Britain, where gun ownership is tightly restricted and handguns are banned."

Looks like someone forgot to tell all the crackpots.  Bill T.

[ratcatcher55]

I blame George Bush, er Tony Blair, I mean the Prince of Wales.

Next somebody will say the mutt was a wonderful person who never hurt a fly and the evil shotgun must have taken control and turned him to the Dark side of the force.

[billt]

Next somebody will say the mutt was a wonderful person who never hurt a fly.

"He was known as "Birdy", she said. I can't believe he would do that — he was a quiet little fellow."

It's just 7 lines down from his photo.          Bill T.

[ratcatcher55]

Universal Law of Idiots #1: Idiots are equally spread through out the universe.
Universal Law of Idiots #2: Idiots are attracted to reporters and television news cameras.
Universal Law of Idiots #3: When it is best to say nothing, idiots just can’t shut up.

[fightingquaker13]

These people confuse me (which I take as a good sign ). I mean, if you want to off yourelf, its your life and your call. I don't have an opinion, unless you expect me to clean up the mess or dig a hole. But why the hell do you want to take out a bunch of strangers? I mean, shooting your Old Man for not buying you a pony, your exwife, members of your least favorite religious/political group, Nashville record producers, I can at least vaguegly understand, but just some poor SOB on the sidewalk? WTF?
FQ13 who will double his WTF when this doesn't call for Brits to demand the right to carry to protect themselves, but just bah like the sheep they've become and submit to even more stringent firearms restrictions. Queen Victoria is spinning in her grave.