OPERATION BRIDGE - Cumbria Constabulary

SECTION 8
GPMS RESTRICTED
THE EVENTS OF 2nd JUNE 2010
8. In this section my Peer Review Team have critically reviewed the
Police Response to events in the chronological order in which the
incident unfolded.
8.1 Within this section the opportunity has been taken to address and
make comment on issues relating to command structures, mutual aid
assistance provided by other police services and issues associated
with the ambulance service response and helicopter support.
8.2 It is believed that the first person shot by Derrick BIRD was his
brother David. The investigation has been unable to confirm at what
time the shooting occurred; however, it is known that it could not have
occurred before 00.45 hrs on the 2nd June. The shooting occurred at
David’s home and he was repeatedly shot with Derricks .22 rifle and
died at the scene.
8.3 The rifle could fire a maximum of 11 rounds before being reloaded
and 11 spent cartridges were recovered at the scene.
8.4 David BIRD was found by neighbours and a colleague later that
morning when he didn’t attend work. Cumbria Constabulary was
notified of this incident a short time later at 11:00 hrs.
8.5 At 05:14 hrs Derrick BIRD arrived at Mowbray Farm, the home
address of Kevin COMMONS.
8.6 A number of witnesses saw him sitting in his taxi on the road leading
up to the farm.
8.7 At approximately 10:00 hrs Kevin COMMONS drove down his drive
until he found his way blocked by Derrick BIRD’S Citroen Xsara
Picasso taxi.
8.8 The investigation has concluded that Derrick BIRD fired a shotgun
twice at Kevin’s vehicle damaging the windscreen and roof during
which time Kevin was wounded in the shoulder.
8.9 Kevin ran back towards the house, followed by Derrick BIRD. Kevin
was found dead at the entrance to the farmyard having been shot
twice with a .22 rifle.
8.10 At 10:10 hrs, Derrick BIRD was seen to drive away from the scene
towards his home address in Rowrah.
THIS REPORT IS EMBARGOED
UNTIL 4PM MONDAY 28 TH MARCH 2011
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