Gunman hunted after fatal shootings

[Abyssdnb Profile]

At least four people are feared dead and several more injured after a gunman went on the rampage in the Lake District.

Police warned all people across the popular tourist destination to stay indoors after the shootings which began in Duke Street in Whitehaven.

Police said they were hunting Derrick Bird, 52, from Rowrah, near Frizington, issued a photograph of him and urged anyone who saw him to dial 999.

At the scene of the shooting, a body lay covered by a black blanket outside a taxi rank guarded by police officers.

A Cumbria Police spokesman confirmed: "There are a number of fatalities and police are working to identify the individuals and inform relatives."

A police statement said: "Derrick Bird has abandoned his car in the Boot area and he is now believed to be travelling by foot.

"Police who are in pursuit of him are urging members of the public in the Boot area to shelter indoors until further notice. Officers are also asking walkers and tourists in that area to be vigilant, take extra care and head indoors if at all possible."

Shocked neighbours described Mr Bird as a "quiet" man. Derek Richardson said: "He kept himself to himself."

Another neighbour, Dorothy Taylor, said: "He lives up the road from me and is a taxi driver. I usually drive past him in my car. It's an awful shock. I'm staying in. It's very peaceful and quiet round here. He was usually all right, quiet."

Copeland Labour MP Jamie Reed said the shootings were a "shock to the system" of a close-knit community already mourning the deaths of two teenagers killed in last week's school bus crash in the area, with one funeral due to take place this afternoon.

[Daisy Profile]

I live in West Cumbria (but a few miles north of where this has happened). Needless to say, kids have been made to stay indoors, windows and doors have been locked for the last couple of hours. Will be a relief if it is him that is dead in the woods.

This is a very quiet part of the country, things like this simply do not happen, it is very shocking and just a little too close for comfort.