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| Man shot dead in post office raid | Man shot dead in post office raid |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A man has been shot dead in a robbery his family's post office in a village in Worcestershire. | |
| Craig Hodson-Walker, son of sub-postmaster Ken Hodson-Walker, was shot in the chest at Fairfields Store, in Fairfield, near Bromsgrove. | |
| A second man was shot in the leg during the raid carried out by three men armed with a handgun and a sledgehammer. | A second man was shot in the leg during the raid carried out by three men armed with a handgun and a sledgehammer. |
| It is believed they escaped in a stolen silver Volkswagen Golf later found abandoned nearby. | |
| The post office was also raided five years ago. | |
| Fairfield First School, which is opposite the store, was shut following the shooting. | Fairfield First School, which is opposite the store, was shut following the shooting. |
| Head teacher Helen Hedar said several pupils had arrived at school at the time of the raid at about 0820 GMT, but no-one had seen anything as the school was set back from the road and did not overlook the shop. | Head teacher Helen Hedar said several pupils had arrived at school at the time of the raid at about 0820 GMT, but no-one had seen anything as the school was set back from the road and did not overlook the shop. |
| They are a lovely family, just lovely people really David Green, villager | They are a lovely family, just lovely people really David Green, villager |
| A Post Office spokesman said: "We are shocked and appalled at this terrible attack against hard-working people serving the whole community and we are very concerned for the family and will be doing all we can to help them." | A Post Office spokesman said: "We are shocked and appalled at this terrible attack against hard-working people serving the whole community and we are very concerned for the family and will be doing all we can to help them." |
| BBC correspondent Pat Murphy, who lives in the village, said he was "flabbergasted" by the events. | BBC correspondent Pat Murphy, who lives in the village, said he was "flabbergasted" by the events. |
| "It really is a cliche but it's true, [the shop] is a focal point in the community." | "It really is a cliche but it's true, [the shop] is a focal point in the community." |
| He said the family were very popular with residents. | |
| Police make appeal over post office shootings | Police make appeal over post office shootings |
| Builder David Green, 59, who buys his paper from the store, said the family, who lived above the post office was "lovely" and added: "Everybody knows everybody here... We always have a little chat." | Builder David Green, 59, who buys his paper from the store, said the family, who lived above the post office was "lovely" and added: "Everybody knows everybody here... We always have a little chat." |
| Gordon Witcomb, chairman of a neighbouring parish council, said he was not surprised to hear of the robbery. | Gordon Witcomb, chairman of a neighbouring parish council, said he was not surprised to hear of the robbery. |
| He said: "It is funny because around here there are a lot of little shops and there seems to be a programme of them being attacked by armed robbers." | He said: "It is funny because around here there are a lot of little shops and there seems to be a programme of them being attacked by armed robbers." |
| He said a convenience store in nearby Lickey End was held up for cigarettes and cash by armed robbers in November. | He said a convenience store in nearby Lickey End was held up for cigarettes and cash by armed robbers in November. |
| Police said they wanted to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area around the time of the raid. | Police said they wanted to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area around the time of the raid. |
| The vehicle believed to have been used in the raid had false registration plates and was stolen from Solihull on 31 December, police said. | The vehicle believed to have been used in the raid had false registration plates and was stolen from Solihull on 31 December, police said. |
| The correct registration plate for the car was GP53 FJJ. | The correct registration plate for the car was GP53 FJJ. |
| Det Supt Jon Groves, of West Mercia Police, said: "Significant resources have been committed to this inquiry, which is in its very early stages. | Det Supt Jon Groves, of West Mercia Police, said: "Significant resources have been committed to this inquiry, which is in its very early stages. |
| "The offenders are dangerous and must not be approached." | "The offenders are dangerous and must not be approached." |
| The raiders' car was stolen on New Year's Eve | The raiders' car was stolen on New Year's Eve |
| Residents first learned of the shooting when they saw a police helicopter circling the area. One Stourbridge Road resident said: "I thought something happened on the motorway." | Residents first learned of the shooting when they saw a police helicopter circling the area. One Stourbridge Road resident said: "I thought something happened on the motorway." |
| Another Fairfield resident, Doreen Davis, said: "It's a shock that it's happened in Fairfield. | Another Fairfield resident, Doreen Davis, said: "It's a shock that it's happened in Fairfield. |
| "We are only a sleepy place. If you didn't know we were here... you'd just drive through it. | "We are only a sleepy place. If you didn't know we were here... you'd just drive through it. |
| "It brings you down to earth a little bit and makes you realise we are all vulnerable." | "It brings you down to earth a little bit and makes you realise we are all vulnerable." |
| Police cordons have been placed around the majority of the village and pedestrians and cars have been diverted away from Stourbridge Road, the main through road. | Police cordons have been placed around the majority of the village and pedestrians and cars have been diverted away from Stourbridge Road, the main through road. |