GUNMAN LOOSE IN CUMBRIA - SEVERAL FATALITIES

[Technologic]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/10214661.stm

A number of people have been killed and others injured after a gunman opened fire in several areas of west Cumbria.

Police are searching for the suspect, named as Derrick Bird, after shots were fired in Whitehaven, Seascale and Egremont.

Detectives said he drove into the central Lakes in a Citroen Picasso before abandoning it in the Boot area.

People who live nearby are being urged to stay indoors for their own protection.

A force spokesman said officers are working to establish the identities of those killed and wounded.

Police were initially called after shots were fired in Duke Street, Whitehaven, at 1035 BST.

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

"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."


Anyone who sees 52-year-old Mr Bird, from Rowrah near Frizington, should contact Cumbria Police.

Eyewitness Peter Watson said he had seen a body lying in the street in Whitehaven.

"When I first got here it must have just happened. There was a man lying on the ground with police stood over him and a jacket on him," he said.

The Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in west Cumbria has also closed its gates as a safety precaution and afternoon shift workers are being told to stay away until the "risk is reduced".

BBC Look North Chief Reporter Chris Stewart said a body was still visibly lying in the street in the town.

He said helicopters had been brought in from other forces to help in the hunt for Derrick Bird.

---------- Post added 02-06-2010 at 02:05 PM ----------

UPDATE: Body of suspected gunman found in wooded area near crime scene

[StefanWolves]

Killed up to 10 people Sky News are reporting, their source is the local media & local news papers of Cumbria, so they're probably accurate.

Killed 10 and has now taken his own life, what drives people to do this sort of stuff? crazy.

[PaulMacC]

R.I.P to all that have been killed.
Crazy stuff ;/

[Swastika]

Crazy stuff, feel sorry for whoever lost their life for absolutely no point at all.

[StefanWolves]

Made me laugh, they had some women who lived in Cumbria on the phone on Sky News just, and she said:

''we had lock ourselves inside cause the gun that the gunman was using had a 2 mile range!!!''

[lorren]

woah, messed up people these days. rip to the people who died :/

[MrPinkPanther]

David Cameron has confirmed AT LEAST 5 people have died.

[danzooo]

Why someone would do such a thing is anyone's guess.

[xxMATTGxx]

Bloody hell, scary stuff. It amazes me how people can just do this sort of thing? :S

[Banana Pancakes]

Bloody hell, scary stuff. It amazes me how people can just do this sort of thing? :S

I know. I can't comprehend someone doing that.