Britain shooting victims include suspect’s twin brother

The 12 victims of the deadly shooting rampage in the rural Lake District this week included the suspect’s twin brother, his lawyer, fellow taxi drivers and random residents of the normally tranquil region, British police said Thursday.

Authorities in Cumbria also confirmed that suspect Derrick Bird, 52, whose body was found in a wooded area several hours after the shootings Wednesday, held a license for the two shotguns used in the killings despite a conviction for theft from a former employer, for which he did not serve a prison sentence.

Speaking to journalists, investigating police officer Det. Chief Supt. Ian Goulding called for the community’s help in determining the motive.

“We hear rumors of finance and domestic” troubles, he said. “We are aware of all those things and they are all proper lines of investigation for us, but we will not be speculating as to the why at this time.”

Bird shot his twin David, a father of three, at his home in Lamplugh, police said, then drove to the home of lawyer Kevin Common, 60, in nearby Frisington. Common was found dead in his driveway.

Shootings then occurred at a Whitehaven taxi stand. Bird drove off and began firing at passersby, authorities said.

Among those slain were Susan Hughes, 57, shot as she carried home her shopping bags, and Jane Robinson, 66, killed outside her home in Seascale.

Jamie Clark, a 23-year-old real estate agent, was found dead in his car.

Other victims included a retired couple and a farmer, Gary Purdham, 32, who was shot while clipping a hedge near Gosforth.

David Bird’s daughters, Rachel, Tracy and Katie, in their teens and 20s, paid tribute to their father in a statement released by police.

“We would like to take this opportunity to say there was absolutely no family feud. Our dad’s only downfall was to try and help his brother,” they said.

“Dad was a loving and cheerful character and was well known throughout the village. He will not only be missed by us, but by the whole community.”

The twins’ elderly mother, Mary Bird, lives in the nearby village of Cleator and was said to be devastated by the news of the killings.

Stobart is a news assistant in The Times’ London Bureau.