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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Revenge fears over biker murder | Revenge fears over biker murder |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Police investigating the death of a Hells Angel shot dead on the M40 said they could not rule out retaliation from others in the bikers' group. | Police investigating the death of a Hells Angel shot dead on the M40 said they could not rule out retaliation from others in the bikers' group. |
| Detectives looking into Sunday's death of Gerry Tobin, 35, in Warwickshire have made "some significant progress". | Detectives looking into Sunday's death of Gerry Tobin, 35, in Warwickshire have made "some significant progress". |
| But Det Supt Ken Lawrence, who is leading the probe, said more peripheral Hells Angels may seek revenge. | |
| Mr Tobin's girlfriend, Rebecca Smith, from south-east London, said his death left a hole "that can never be filled". | Mr Tobin's girlfriend, Rebecca Smith, from south-east London, said his death left a hole "that can never be filled". |
| A hole that can never be filled has been left in the lives and hearts of so many... Gerry was my life Rebecca Smith | A hole that can never be filled has been left in the lives and hearts of so many... Gerry was my life Rebecca Smith |
| Mr Tobin was shot in the back of the head as he rode home from the Bulldog Bash biker festival, held at Long Marston Airfield, near Stratford-upon-Avon. | Mr Tobin was shot in the back of the head as he rode home from the Bulldog Bash biker festival, held at Long Marston Airfield, near Stratford-upon-Avon. |
| Det Supt Lawrence said he would be "astonished" if the murder had been carried out by another Hells Angel because of the code of loyalty within the organisation. | |
| He said it "would be foolish" not to consider there may be retaliation but said he was sure the core membership of the Hells Angels would abide by their principles. | He said it "would be foolish" not to consider there may be retaliation but said he was sure the core membership of the Hells Angels would abide by their principles. |
| Det Supt Lawrence said: "I don't think this was a plain and simple random attack. There must have been some precursor event. | Det Supt Lawrence said: "I don't think this was a plain and simple random attack. There must have been some precursor event. |
| Two shots | Two shots |
| "It's possible he was targeted either specifically because of something he had done or some disagreement that he had had. | "It's possible he was targeted either specifically because of something he had done or some disagreement that he had had. |
| "It's not impossible that he was targeted simply because he was a Hells Angel." | "It's not impossible that he was targeted simply because he was a Hells Angel." |
| Police said there was no obvious motive. They believe at least two shots were fired at Mr Tobin, although only one struck him. | Police said there was no obvious motive. They believe at least two shots were fired at Mr Tobin, although only one struck him. |
| Police described Mr Tobin as a "hard-working, friendly but private person" and was an active church member when he was younger and still living in Canada. | Police described Mr Tobin as a "hard-working, friendly but private person" and was an active church member when he was younger and still living in Canada. |
| Rebecca Smith feels "truly blessed" to have spent five years with him | Rebecca Smith feels "truly blessed" to have spent five years with him |
| He lived with Ms Smith near a Harley-Davidson dealership where he worked as a mechanic in Mottingham. | He lived with Ms Smith near a Harley-Davidson dealership where he worked as a mechanic in Mottingham. |
| In a statement, Ms Smith, 25, said: "I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and love to all that have supported me and our club at this awful time. | In a statement, Ms Smith, 25, said: "I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and love to all that have supported me and our club at this awful time. |
| "Thank you to all for your kind words, respects, sentiments and tributes. | "Thank you to all for your kind words, respects, sentiments and tributes. |
| "A hole that can never be filled has been left in the lives and hearts of so many. Gerry was my life." | "A hole that can never be filled has been left in the lives and hearts of so many. Gerry was my life." |
| A statement read out by the London Chapter of the Hells Angels on behalf of her said: "To those who knew him, Gerry stood out in the crowd as a true gentleman. | A statement read out by the London Chapter of the Hells Angels on behalf of her said: "To those who knew him, Gerry stood out in the crowd as a true gentleman. |
| "(His) charming personality (and) quick-witted humour always kept everyone smiling. | "(His) charming personality (and) quick-witted humour always kept everyone smiling. |
| "He was Rebecca's soul mate and she feels truly blessed to have spent five wonderful years of her life - the best five years of her life - with such a wonderful man." | "He was Rebecca's soul mate and she feels truly blessed to have spent five wonderful years of her life - the best five years of her life - with such a wonderful man." |
| Memorial fund | Memorial fund |
| The Canadian had been riding alongside two friends on his Harley-Davidson FXSTB 1500 Night Train after leaving the Bulldog Bash when he was shot dead. | The Canadian had been riding alongside two friends on his Harley-Davidson FXSTB 1500 Night Train after leaving the Bulldog Bash when he was shot dead. |
| Police said they now believed the green Rover 620 seen near the incident contained at least two and possibly three occupants. | Police said they now believed the green Rover 620 seen near the incident contained at least two and possibly three occupants. |
| CCTV images have been located from a number of places and forensic evidence from the motorway is being examined. | CCTV images have been located from a number of places and forensic evidence from the motorway is being examined. |
| Warwickshire Police have received more than 300 calls from people in the UK and abroad about the case. | Warwickshire Police have received more than 300 calls from people in the UK and abroad about the case. |
| They said the inquiry had some help from bikers' organisations but the response of the Hells Angels had been less than completely open. | They said the inquiry had some help from bikers' organisations but the response of the Hells Angels had been less than completely open. |
| The London Hells Angels have set up a memorial fund for Mr Tobin and their website has been deluged with messages from around the world. | The London Hells Angels have set up a memorial fund for Mr Tobin and their website has been deluged with messages from around the world. |
| A biker event planned for next month, the Chop and Rod show at Henfold Lakes, in Surrey, has been postponed as a result of the shooting. | A biker event planned for next month, the Chop and Rod show at Henfold Lakes, in Surrey, has been postponed as a result of the shooting. |