Gun death stuns quiet Ashington community
Nov 8 2010 by Amy Hunt, The Journal
A QUIET community was rocked by tragedy when a man was found shot dead in the street.
Police were called to Alderwood in Ashington, Northumberland, at about 12.30am on Sunday morning after receiving reports of a man with a gun in the street.
They found the body of a 34-year-old man, who was confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics. It is thought he had taken his own life.
Yesterday a police cordon remained around the street, part of an estate off Green Lane in the town.
A trampoline and children’s toys lay in the front yard of a house which was protected by a police guard.
County council workmen used high-pressure hoses to clean the outside of the property and yard, while detectives took away a Land Rover Discovery which was parked on the road.
Neighbours spoke of their shock at what had happened, saying there were three children aged between nine and 12 who lived at the house, as well as a girl of about three.
Irene Thomson, 60, said: “We had just put a movie on when we heard the police helicopter overhead.
“We came outside, but it was dark so we couldn’t see much. Then the police turned up.”
Linda Stocks, a 53-year-old grandmother, added: “We were in bed early and we heard a bang, but there have been fireworks all week so we didn’t think anything of it.
“My husband got quite a shock when he went out to work in the morning and the street was all cordoned off.”
Shop manager Kathleen Hattle said: “It’s hard to believe that something like that can happened around here.
“You can’t believe that there are guns around somewhere like ours. It’s such a nice estate. I’ve been here 29 years and all our kids have grown up here.”
