Man dies in double shooting inside flat

Mar 22 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

A MAN killed in a double shooting incident in Northumberland was last night identified by police as an Iranian national who had lived in the UK for 12 years.

Shahdad Pouresmaeilieh was pronounced dead at Wansbeck General Hospital in Ashington early yesterday after being found fatally injured in a flat above the Dragon House Chinese takeaway in Elliott Street, Blyth, at 11.30pm on Thursday.

A post-mortem examination carried out by a Home Office pathologist revealed that he died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Northumbria Police said Mr Pouresmaeilieh – who is believed to have worked at the takeaway shop – was born in Iran and lived in the Newbiggin-by-the-Sea area.

A forensic search of the flat yesterday led to the recovery of a firearm thought to have been involved in the incident, which also left a 45-year-old woman seriously ill in hospital. She is also believed to have been shot but last night her condition was described as stable after she underwent emergency surgery.

Last night three men were in police custody and helping with inquiries after being arrested in connection with the incident.

Police said it was not a random attack and the three men being held for questioning were known to the two victims.

A murder investigation was launched when the man and woman were found badly injured in the flat, after the alarm was raised by a member of the public.

The victims were taken to Wansbeck General where Mr Pouresmaeilieh was declared dead just after midnight.

The injured woman had not been named by police last night. They have appealed for help from anyone who was in the area from 11pm onwards on Friday and who has information which could help the inquiry.

Officers are trying to piece together exactly what happened in the flat and events leading up to it.

Yesterday local people claimed to have seen numerous people of various nationalities entering and leaving the flat above the Dragon House early in the mornings and late at nights in recent times.

Mr Pouresmaeilieh and the injured woman are not believed to have been in a personal relationship, but police say it is understood that one or both of them was involved in running the business and frequented the flat above.

The Dragon House is part of a small parade of shops which includes other restaurants and a bookmaker.

It is surrounded by five licensed premises, the Newsham, Black Diamond and Willow Tree pubs and the Newsham Victory and New Delaval and Newsham social clubs.

Yesterday Supt Gordon Millward appealed to drinkers who were in or around the nearby pubs at about 11.15pm on Thursday to contact police if they have any information which would help the murder inquiry.

He said: “We are still trying to establish the exact relationship between the two people involved and their relationship with the restaurant.

“We are making door-to-door inquiries so that we can build up a better picture of the comings and goings at the address and what took place there.

“This was not a random attack and the three people in custody are known to the two victims. This incident will have caused concern in the local community and we are stepping up patrols in the area to provide reassurance for residents.”

A spokesman at the nearby Newsham pub said: “I saw the police cordon had been set up at about 11.30pm and one of my barmaids said there were two men sitting in the bar who appeared to be very agitated. I mentioned this to a police officer and they came in and took these two guys away.

“I know that a man and woman seemed to run the Dragon House but I don’t know if they are the ones involved in the incident last night. Lots of people have been coming and going from that flat recently, getting dropped off late at night and going away early in the morning.

“There has been a lot of traffic lately with cars pulling up, people shouting up at the flat windows and others shouting back.”

Jay Laidler, 20, who lives with his girlfriend Leanne Cockburn, 19, in a flat overlooking the Dragon House, said both of them were in bed at the time of the incident and heard nothing.

He said: “It is a big shock being so close to something like this.

“I know there was a couple who seemed to run the place who were often outside having a smoke and a laugh but as far as I am aware they kept themselves to themselves.”

Leanne said: “When I saw the forensic people this morning, I thought someone must have been murdered. We usually only get bother with drunks round here but this is terrible.”

Anyone who was in the area around 11pm-11.15pm and has information about the incident is asked to contact police on 08456 043043 and ask for the incident room at Bedlington.