Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
British police seek answers after shooting rampage
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Comments (1)
Slideshow
Video
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
BP cuts ruptured oil pipe with shears
| Video
11:17am EDT
RPT-SCENARIOS-The future for BP after the oil spill
2:56am EDT
Powerful Cyclone Phet barrels toward Oman
02 Jun 2010
WRAPUP 5-BP cuts ruptured oil pipe with shears
10:41am EDT
Caffeine addicts get no real perk from morning cup
02 Jun 2010
Israel proposes inquiry with foreign observers
| Video
9:30am EDT
China delays Gates trip in apparent snub for Taiwan
02 Jun 2010
Hole opens in Guatemala neighborhood, 3 missing
23 Feb 2007
Why labor unrest is good for China and the world
02 Jun 2010
UK fines JPMorgan record $49 million
7:53am EDT
Caffeine addicts get no real perk from morning cup
02 Jun 2010
Powerful Cyclone Phet barrels toward Oman
02 Jun 2010
Obama extends benefits for gay federal employees
02 Jun 2010
BP cuts ruptured oil pipe with shears
| Video
11:17am EDT
Why labor unrest is good for China and the world
02 Jun 2010
Portuguese-style menu may be good for the heart
02 Jun 2010
Hole opens in Guatemala neighborhood, 3 missing
23 Feb 2007
RPT-SCENARIOS-The future for BP after the oil spill
2:56am EDT
AT&T to end unlimited use mobile data plan
02 Jun 2010
Facebook CEO says no date in mind for IPO
02 Jun 2010
British police seek answers after shooting rampage
Kylie MacLellan
WHITEHAVEN
Thu Jun 3, 2010 11:06am EDT
Related News
Timeline: Twelve dead in major shooting incident in Britain
6:45am EDT
Related Video
Witnesses describe UK mass shooting
6:33am EDT
1 / 14
The immediate family of murdered taxi driver Darren Rewcastle look at floral tributes at the murder scene at the Duke Street taxi rank in Whitehaven, in Cumbria, north west England, June 3, 2010.
Credit: Reuters/David Moir
WHITEHAVEN England (Reuters) - Police were trying to work out Thursday why a quiet taxi-driver gunned down 12 people around England's serene Lake District, as Britain debated how to prevent a repeat of its worst rampage for years.
World
Derrick Bird's shooting spree Wednesday through sleepy towns, villages and beautiful countryside in one of Britain's top tourist spots stunned the entire country, and left authorities struggling to find answers.
The 52-year-old, later found dead in the remote Eskdale valley after apparently turning one of his guns on himself, seemed to know some of his victims while others appeared to have been strangers, shot dead at random during a three-hour spree.
Eleven others were injured and seven remain in hospital. Cumbrian police said more than 100 detectives were now piecing together Bird's trail with evidence scattered across 30 different crime scenes.
"We must do absolutely everything to complete this investigation, to make sure that everything is done to make sure that events like this cannot happen again in our country," Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters.
WHAT SPARKED RAMPAGE?
Officers are trying to work out what turned the driver, described by friends and colleagues as a nice, quiet, normal man, into a mass killer.
Fellow taxi drivers in the coastal town of Whitehaven in northwest England where Bird worked told Reuters he had been involved in a dispute with other cabbies the previous night.
Newspapers reported that after the row he had left saying: "There's going to be a rampage tomorrow." At least one of those killed was a taxi driver.
There have also been unconfirmed reports that a dispute over a family will might have pushed him over the edge. Lawyer Kevin Commons was one of the victims and media reports said Bird's twin brother was also among the dead.
"We've had lots of speculation, rumor and innuendo about what occurred the night before," Stuart Hyde, deputy chief constable of Cumbrian Police, told BBC television.
The rampage was Britain's deadliest multiple shooting since Thomas Hamilton walked into a school in Dunblane, Scotland, 14 years ago and shot dead 15 children and their teacher.
That killing led to new laws which banned civilian ownership of handguns and meant other weapons required a certificate from the police.
Cumbrian Police said Bird, who used a shotgun and a .22 caliber rifle with a telescopic sight, had been licensed to own both firearms. The government said it would hold a review of existing gun laws when the full facts of the case were known.
"We should be clear that in this country we have some of the toughest gun control legislation anywhere in the world," said Cameron, who will travel to Cumbria Friday.
"Of course we should look at this issue but I don't think we should leap to knee-jerk conclusions about what can be done on a regulatory front."
Cumbria is one of the safest places in Britain, and the latest official figures show there were just four homicides in 2008/9. In 2006/7 there was none.
But opposition politicians raised the issue about whether its small police force had the resources to cope with such an incident, while some locals posted messages on a local newspaper's website asking why Bird was not stopped sooner.
"You can't blame the police," said Darren Williamson, 32, an electrician who was working at a shop a few doors down from the taxi rank in Whitehaven where Bird opened fire. "The police round here have got no experience at all of shootings like that. London, New York maybe -- we don't have shootings in Whitehaven.
"If the police had stopped him getting out of Whitehaven, he would have just run rampage in Whitehaven and killed as many people as he could round here."
(Writing by Michael Holden; editing by Steve Addison)
World
Comments
See All Comments (1) | Post Comment
Jun 03, 2010 6:29am EDT
Answers, everyone thinks they can get into that jerks brain a pick it apart hoping this can be prevented in the future. Well Sorry folks, not even after the most restrictive ban in all of Europe to keep it’s citizens from owning firearms has been sufficient to prevent this. If he didn’t have a gun he would have ran em over with the taxi. Maybe if there were one citizen properly trained in the use of a firearm and carrying one this would have been a different story.
gunfreak
Report As Abusive
See All Comments (1)
Add a Comment
*We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
FindLaw
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Thursday, 3 June 2010 Iran denies nuclear gear vanished from facility
Gunman kills 12 in rampage through British tourist hotspot
Former US president George W. Bush joins Facebook
Western Balkans' future is in European Union: EU
Militants attack as Afghan peace conference starts
Outgoing Japan PM wants to keep his Twitter followers
US automakers post double-digit sales jump
French archaeologists dig up 30-year-old banquet
GM US sales jump 16.6% in May
Amazon Kindle going on sale in Target stores across US
Powerful Cyclone Phet barrels toward Oman
|
Body of fugitive British gunman believed found: police
Finnish police scrap probe into Google privacy breach
Iran says enriching to higher levels as backup plan
|
US pending home sales soar ahead of tax credit deadline
New floods in central Europe, at least two dead
|
Iraqi Kurdish leader in Turkey for landmark visit
|
Darfur activism had negative consequences: report
|
Greek corruption inquiry lost in translation
|
Moderate quake hits Papua New Guinea: US seismologists
At least 30 dead, 18 missing in south China rain, landslides
Foxconn confirms another employee death
Top Cambodian court upholds lawmaker's defamation conviction
Nearly 5 million downloaded Skype iPhone 3G app
|
EBay CEO says volume on iPhone app could triple
|
Chinese PM in Myanmar ahead of rare elections
Hong Kong deports democracy statue sculptor: lawmaker
Australian PM calls Israel's Netanyahu on Gaza aid flotilla
Sony to shut Blu-ray player factory in Hungary
AT&T, T-Mobile infringe patents, U.S. lawsuit says
|
Toshiba invention brings quantum computing closer
|
Twitter returns Chavez to Venezuela's reality
|
Toyota US sales rise 6.7 percent in May
WTO members want more transparency from China
Cambodia promises effective use of international aid
China inflation could hit 3.7 percent in 2010: state media
Organisers reject S.Lanka Bollywood awards boycott
Old gold: Seniors find second life in modelling
'Wives' of Catholic priests speak out against celibacy
One careful owner... James Bond's Aston Martin up for sale
Churchill's cigar under hammer in London
Sick John Mayer cancels Europe shows, heads back to U.S.
|
Russell Brand talks his way to Hollywood stardom
|
TV film looks at odyssey of guitarist Billy McLaughlin
|
Twilights Kristen Stewart likens her fame to rape
|
Afghan peace conference mulls talks with Taliban
Paul McCartney honoured at White House
Israel calls Gaza blockade critics hypocrites
|
Murdoch hails Apple's Jobs as top US CEO
Three killed in C.Europe floods, hundreds moved
Afghan elders debate peace plan despite Taliban attack
|
Militants attack Afghan peace conference
First round of bidding closes for Newsweek
Six men to be isolated in 520-day 'Mars mission'
BOJ warns on public debt as Japan seeks new PM
|
US debt tops 13 trillion dollars for first time
U.N. investigator calls for halt to CIA drone killings
|
US automakers post double-digit sales jump
Oil closes in on Florida, BP saw snags on pipe
S.Korea hesitates bringing sea attack to U.N. council
|
Somali troops storm cargo ship but pirates kill captain
|
Another Foxconn worker dies, family blames overwork
|
Bangladesh halts building collapse rescue, 25 dead
Powerful Cyclone Phet takes aim at Oman
|
Former Aceh rebel dies at 85 in Indonesia
S.Korea's president suffers election setback
Minimum and maximum global temperatures in Celsius
Computers used in drive to test stress levels
Korean tensions top agenda at Asian security forum
Ugly row over Australia's Facebook 'freaks'
S.Africa's Zuma seeks to boost India trade links
Asian Games Chinese host city to force out beggars
Angry passengers attack China airport staff
China 'not very optimistic' on cutting emissions
U.S. Markets Rally On Strong Home Sales, Energy Rebound
Indian Minister Sets Tone For U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue
Mexicans Angered by Beating Death of Illegal Immigrant in California
Facebook CEO says no date in mind for IPO
|
Nokia Siemens conducts 30 next gen LTE network trials
|
Pakistan central bank chief resigns
Yen drops against dollar
China begins trial of energy tax in oil region
Jackson memorial museum complex plans unveiled
Oil spill likely to doom Louisiana seaside restaurant
Spain to extend smoking ban to bars, restaurants next year
Butoh legend, Japanese dancer Ohno dies at 103
Director James Cameron says BP turned down help offer
|
Adam Lambert promises sexy but tasteful show
|
Court halts release of Jim Carrey film
|
Actor Brad Pitt joins U.S. bid to host World Cup
|
Obama presents award to former Beatle McCartney
|
Oprah Winfrey among Minerva Award recipients
|
Red Dawn remake irks Beijing
|
Grand Ole Opry back in Oct. after $17 million in flood repairs
|
Mother of seven touted as new German president
Security boosted for Afghan 'peace jirga'
Taiwan's Green Book unveils lightest e-book reader
Aid ship sailing towards Gaza, prefers U.N. escort
|
Gaza activists hailed as ambassador recalled from Israel
Briton warned of 'rampage' before shooting 12 dead
Did bloggers bring down the German president?
BP rocked by ratings downgrades
Differences remain at Afghan peace conference
Aquino has unbeatable lead in Philippine vote tally
|
Nokia launches bicycle-powered charger
Taiwan: Time is not right to bolster Iran ties
BP Organizes Massive Apology Campaign
Spill threatens Florida's beaches and tourism
Afghan peace conference mulls talks with Taliban
Movie Ticket Vendor Fandango Offering 10-Cent Ticket Giveaways For 10th Anniversary
British police seek answers after shooting rampage
|
Australian commando has suspected drug overdose
Maytag Recalls More Than 1 Million Dishwashers
U.S.-India Business Body To Strengthen Educational Links
Man Shot, Dragged For Miles In Possible South Carolina Hate Crime
New Jersey "Real Housewife" Danielle Staub To Record Pop Track
Nokia launches bicycle-powered charger
Liza Minnelli Denies "Celebrity Rehab" Participation
Turkey, Iraqi Kurds see deeper ties after visit
|
U.S. Marshals Capture 73-Year-Old Fugitive
Study: Indian Consumers Best At Making Green Choices, Americans Least
U.S. backs South Korea in face of unpredictable North
|
Threat To Blow Up FBI Building In D.C. Results In Prison Term
North Korean envoy warns war could erupt soon
|
Imprisoned Azeri journalist goes on hunger strike
|
US senator cancels Myanmar trip on nuclear suspicions
Chinese and Myanmar leaders sign deals, discuss border
US senator nixes Myanmar trip over nuclear concern
Death toll from China landslides rises to 38
US senator to meet Suu Kyi on Myanmar trip
Pacific islands adapt to climate change
Anwar accuser was sodomised, says Malaysian doctor
Egypt opposition get four upper house seats
|
Book asks: Is Internet ruining our minds?
|
Nokia unveils 4 cheap phones
|
EU court says countries can ban online gambling
|
Zuma calls for stronger ties with India
G20 warns global recovery still fragile: draft
Nokia unveils bicycle mobile charger
|
B.B. King to keep playing until 'called from above'
Honda's China strike a lesson for Japanese exporters
Excavation throws up 1980s lunch
Asian oil prices rebound as US stocks soar
Jeff Koons to give Le Mans art-car fee to charity
'Twilight' author to issue last of vampire series
G-20 finance officials begin global economy talks
Honda says China factories back to work Friday
Wallander writer may bar Hebrew version of books
Honda to resume car production in China
Century-old S.African market fights new mall plans
Japan's Prime Minister To Step Down
Offer you can refuse? Holidays on ex-mafia hideout
Taiwan president faces hurdles in key China deal
Mars Trip Simulation To Lock Up 6 Men In Mock Spaceship For 18 Months
Namibians Sterilized Without Consent Sue Government For $130,000
Bollywood stars arrive in Sri Lanka for awards
China, Japan Form Largest Ecommerce Service With 260 Million Users
Couple Destined To Be Together
Military Aircraft Injures 10 In Memorial Day Demonstration
Landslide-Formed Lake Overflows In Pakistan, Threatens To Engulf Villages
Sack Tapping Results In Testicle Loss For One Boy
Sting goes classical as kicks off world tour Symphonicity
|
Pop princess Minogue tweets and says love life rosy
|
Brad Pitt joins U.S. bid to host World Cup
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights