Multiple murders in Cumbria, England

**Weetomuncher** · 06-02-2010, 05:04 AM

A man called Derrick Bird has killedseveral people in three towns in Cumbria, England this morning. He is on the loose and armed.

It is on the BBC News at the moment.

**Weetomuncher** · 06-02-2010, 05:06 AM

Unofficially, the BBC has said that local reports have suggested that three people have been killed so far, with a further four people having been shot. The official number is still one but there may be further deaths.

**Weetomuncher** · 06-02-2010, 06:16 AM

The killer has commited suicide according to the BBC.

EDIT: There have been shootings in 11 seperate places with at least 4 dead, although that may not be the final figure.

The killer, 52 year old Derrick Bird was a taxi driver.

**TomStillwell** · 06-02-2010, 07:11 AM

Sadly that sounds like a typical night in Chicago.

**Karl O'Neill** · 06-02-2010, 10:03 AM

Then Kills himself.

A true coward who will rot in hell.

**Free-Man** · 06-02-2010, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Karl O'Neill

Then Kills himself.

A true coward who will rot in hell.

Hell's too good for a bastard like this.

My heart goes out to the victims and the survivors who are gonna have to live with what this monster did to them.

**Weetomuncher** · 06-02-2010, 10:26 AM

The death toll now stands at 12 with a further 25 injuries plus the murderer.

This is the worst murder spree in the UK since the 1996 Dunblane Primary School massacre where 16 people plus the killer died.

This incident seems similar to the 1987 Hungerford massacre where 16 people died when a gunman went round the streets picking off victims.

Violent crime is in the news constantly now, yesterday a woman working in a newsagent's store in Glasgow was stabbed to death by her ex-husband who then tried to kill himself.

**king mob** · 06-02-2010, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Weetomuncher

Violent crime is in the news constantly now, yesterday a woman working in a newsagent's store in Glasgow was stabbed to death by her ex-husband who then tried to kill himself.

Violent crime is newsworthy, but the reporting of why there's violent crime isn't as it actually involves in-depth journalism of the type we rarely see anymore.

This incident is one of those thankfully rare ones here in the UK, but what's disturbing is the sheer randomness of it all, as Bird was by all accounts a harmless local.

**Stressfactor** · 06-02-2010, 11:19 AM

NPR brought up the story and mentioned that it's rare also because of England's strict gun laws.

Sorry to hear that this happened. I hope that those who survive will be able to get help for any emotional scars they will carry as well.

**David Wharton** · 06-02-2010, 11:33 AM

I'm Cumbrian born and bred, I live near Penrith around 40 miles away. I have shopped on Duke Street in Whitehaven. My mum grew up in Frizington just 2 miles up the road from Rowrah where Bird lived. I have been past his house countless times on the way to visit my Gran.

Things like this don't happen here. I suppose I should say didn't

Shock is an understatement. My thoughts go out to the families and friend of those who have died.

It has been one hell of a year for West Cumbria.

**Karl O'Neill** · 06-02-2010, 11:34 AM

It's always the harmless guys who do this stuff!

**Weetomuncher** · 06-02-2010, 11:38 AM

The only thing I knew about Whitehaven and the surrounding area is that it was a mining area and Whitehaven has a rugby league club.

Sadly this incident could link the towns affected with tragedy in the same way that Lockerbie, Dunblane and Hungerford became known for the murder tragedies that happened in those places rather than anything else.

**king mob** · 06-02-2010, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Weetomuncher

Sadly this incident could link the towns affected with tragedy in the same way that Lockerbie, Dunblane and Hungerford became known for the murder tragedies that happened in those places rather than anything else.

Or it could hopefully put this behind it as much as it possibly can as these towns have done over the decades.

What's serious annoying me is the sheer level of speculation and voyuerism by the rolling news channels, Sky and ITV have been especially repellant today.

**David Wharton** · 06-02-2010, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by king mob

Or it could hopefully put this behind it as much as it possibly can as these towns have done over the decades.

What's serious annoying me is the sheer level of speculation and voyuerism by the rolling news channels, Sky and ITV have been especially repellant today.

The nature of the beast alas. This is the big story and there was little reportable fact so they fill it with speculation. It was one of the things that Michael Buerk railed against in his auto-biography, rolling news is so caught up in the moment perspective, especially in such an emotive tragedy, is easily lost in the clamour to fill the airwaves.