A man is believed to have shot dead two female members of his family near a swimming pool in Spalding.
The horror unfolded near Castle Swimming Pool today when three people including the suspected gunman died. No shots were fired by police.
Locals reported that a man had killed two female relatives. One, who did not want to be identified, said: “From what I understand a man shot himself and his family. We have heard it’s a self-contained incident.”
Officers raided a house in Hatt Close, Moulton, Spalding, which one resident in the street claimed was linked to the shooting.
A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police said: “We can confirm that there has been a firearms incident on Pinchbeck Road in Spalding, in the vicinity of the Castle Swimming Pool, in which three people have been fatally wounded, including the suspected offender.
“There is an ongoing police investigation and at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
“There is no indication that this is a terrorist-related incident and no shots have been fired by police. We would urge members of the public to stay away from the area at the present time.”
A resident of nearby Pinchbeck Road, who did not want to be named, said she was “terrified” when she heard the news.
“All we know is as much as was on Twitter. We are hoping that, although you never want this sort of thing to happen, but we’re hoping it was a self-contained incident because we haven’t had any people round here saying there’s any danger.”
East Midlands Ambulance Service said paramedics were told to approach the scene with caution and fought to save the three people who died.
A spokeswoman said: “We received a call at 9.04am reporting gunshots on Pinchbeck Lane, Spalding. Our ambulance crews and paramedic officer were sent to the emergency and told to approach with caution.
“Upon arriving at scene, our paramedics treated three patients who had gunshot wounds. Despite the best efforts of everyone at the scene the patients were pronounced dead.
“This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the friends and families of those involved.”
The air ambulance was also called.
District councillor Gary Taylor, who represents Spalding Castle ward, said: “It’s terrible news and local people are very shocked. It’s a very quiet place, gun crime does not exist in this area at all. It’s shocking news.”
Eyewitnesses reported hearing “dozens” of police cars and an air ambulance heading to the scene.
One woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “We heard all the police cars earlier this morning - they were absolutely everywhere, tearing around.
“We didn’t hear any shots, nothing at all, only the dozens, literally dozens, of police cars. It must have been about half past nine or quarter to 10 when it started and there was car after car.”
Another local, who asked not to be named, said an air ambulance was still outside the swimming pool more than an hour after the incident.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Twitter: “Shocking events in Spalding, Lincolnshire. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
John Tippler, 86, lives by the entrance to the swimming pool, in Pinchbeck Road, near where it happened.
He said: “I was indoors and I heard three bangs . My dog looked up, as he does, and I reassured him there was nothing to worry about.
“There is a gun shop in Spalding, and it sounded like someone firing a gun there- that’s what I assumed.
“Then, my son rang me at about 11am to ask if I was all right. That’s when I found out what had happened.”
He added that he often walked by the swimming pool. “It won’t stop me walking there. I think this is an exceptional incident,” he added.
He said the swimming pool would have been busy at that time of the morning.
Drew Williams, who also lives in Pinchbeck Road, said: “I heard four bangs. I thought it was someone kicking a ball against a fence.”
Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “I was in the garden. I heard some bangs. I thought it was odd at that time of the morning . Of course, I did not think it was gunshots.”
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