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James Nash shooting: Children's author and councillor dies | James Nash shooting: Children's author and councillor dies |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A "kind-hearted" children's author and parish councillor shot at his home in Hampshire has died. | A "kind-hearted" children's author and parish councillor shot at his home in Hampshire has died. |
James Nash suffered serious head injuries in the attack at Upper Enham, near Andover, on Wednesday afternoon. | James Nash suffered serious head injuries in the attack at Upper Enham, near Andover, on Wednesday afternoon. |
The suspect, a 34-year-old man, died in a police chase after trying to flee on a motorcycle. | The suspect, a 34-year-old man, died in a police chase after trying to flee on a motorcycle. |
Hampshire Constabulary confirmed Mr Nash died in hospital in the early hours and the investigation was being treated as murder. | |
A 40-year-old woman was also assaulted during the attack and suffered minor injuries. | |
'Shock and grief' | 'Shock and grief' |
According to the Andover Advertiser, Mr Nash's mother Gillian Nash said: "Very sadly I have to tell you that James Nash died of his brutal injuries today. | |
"His father, his sister and I are in a total state of shock and grief. | "His father, his sister and I are in a total state of shock and grief. |
"We have lost a beautiful, talented son and brother and I know all who knew him would say he was the kindest, most caring person." | "We have lost a beautiful, talented son and brother and I know all who knew him would say he was the kindest, most caring person." |
Tributes have been sent from friends and colleagues of the writer and parish councillor, who represented the village of Enham Alamein. | |
Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, posted on Facebook: "This is such devastating news, not just for his family and friends who will obviously miss him terribly, but for the whole community of Enham Alamein where he was a public representative. | |
"He was such a kind-hearted individual and a proactive parish councillor who cared deeply for his community." | "He was such a kind-hearted individual and a proactive parish councillor who cared deeply for his community." |
He added: "As a talented children's author and illustrator, I was extremely touched last year when one of the dedications in his latest book was to my newborn daughter, Eleanor-Ivy Mae. | He added: "As a talented children's author and illustrator, I was extremely touched last year when one of the dedications in his latest book was to my newborn daughter, Eleanor-Ivy Mae. |
"We will always treasure our copy." | "We will always treasure our copy." |
Claire Porter from Chapter House Books, in Sherborne, Dorset, where Mr Nash went to school, said he would always pop in when visiting family. | |
She said: "He was a really nice guy who was brave enough to follow his dream of being a professional artist, then children's author after a successful career in the aerospace industry. | |
"He was so proud when he published his first book Winter Wild in 2016 and then came into the shop to give a reading in December 2017. " | |
At the scene, Allen Sinclair, South Today | At the scene, Allen Sinclair, South Today |
"A low-key but considerable police presence remains this morning, close to the isolated and picturesque cluster of cottages where the murder investigation is concentrated. | |
Some homes, drives and gateways are sealed off by police tape. | Some homes, drives and gateways are sealed off by police tape. |
Further along, the lane itself is cordoned off, with two officers preventing people from approaching. About 100m up the road, forensic officers appear to be gathering evidence. | Further along, the lane itself is cordoned off, with two officers preventing people from approaching. About 100m up the road, forensic officers appear to be gathering evidence. |
People living in the area have declined to talk about what has happened. But tributes to James Nash have begun appearing on social media, as news of his death spreads. " | People living in the area have declined to talk about what has happened. But tributes to James Nash have begun appearing on social media, as news of his death spreads. " |
North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse described the fatal shooting in MacCallum Road as "tragic and profoundly sad news". | North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse described the fatal shooting in MacCallum Road as "tragic and profoundly sad news". |
"James's family will be devastated and they are in all our thoughts tonight," he said in a post on Facebook. | "James's family will be devastated and they are in all our thoughts tonight," he said in a post on Facebook. |
The suspect - named in reports as Alex Sartain - is believed to have initially fled the scene on foot before trying to get away on a motorbike. | The suspect - named in reports as Alex Sartain - is believed to have initially fled the scene on foot before trying to get away on a motorbike. |
He then fatally crashed on an A-road about three miles away from the shooting site after officers gave chase. | He then fatally crashed on an A-road about three miles away from the shooting site after officers gave chase. |
Police said they "do not believe there are any outstanding suspects in this investigation" and the force has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. | Police said they "do not believe there are any outstanding suspects in this investigation" and the force has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. |
According to his website, Mr Nash was resident artist at The Hawk Conservancy Trust, and co-founder of the Society of Natural History Artists. | According to his website, Mr Nash was resident artist at The Hawk Conservancy Trust, and co-founder of the Society of Natural History Artists. |