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Man shot dead in post office raid Man shot dead in post office raid
(40 minutes later)
A man has been shot dead in a robbery at his family's post office in a village in Worcestershire.A man has been shot dead in a robbery at his family's post office in a village in Worcestershire.
Craig Hodson-Walker, 29, son of sub-postmaster Ken Hodson-Walker, was shot in the chest at Fairfields Store, in Fairfield, near Bromsgrove.Craig Hodson-Walker, 29, 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.It is believed they escaped in a stolen silver Volkswagen Golf later found abandoned nearby.
Police said the injured man was being treated at Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital. His condition is not known.
The post office was also raided five years ago.The post office was also raided five years ago.
They are a lovely family, just lovely people really David Green, villagerThey are a lovely family, just lovely people really David Green, villager
One Fairfield resident, who knew the Hodson-Walker family, said Craig "was a nice bloke but he was no shrinking violet".One Fairfield resident, who knew the Hodson-Walker family, said Craig "was a nice bloke but he was no shrinking violet".
"I can imagine he would have had a go."I can imagine he would have had a go.
"He was not the sort to say OK, when maybe he should have done.""He was not the sort to say OK, when maybe he should have done."
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.
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. He said the family was very popular with residents.
Police make appeal over post office shootingsPolice 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 want 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. They said it was too early to say if anything had been stolen in the raid.
The vehicle believed to have been used in the raid had false registration plates W337 DDN 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.
Officers said the car may have got caught in rush-hour traffic on its way to the Stourbridge Road island at the junction of the A491 Sandy Lane.
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 EveThe 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.