Police have launched a murder investigation after a man was shot dead on a traveller site.
Emergency services were scrambled to reports of a casualty with gunshot wounds in Calcutt, Cricklade, at around 8.15am this morning (Sunday).
Great Western Air Ambulance was deployed, alongside specialist paramedics – wearing ballistic vests and helmets – from the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).
Firearms officers raced to the location, securing the area ahead of other 999 responders. The victim, a man aged in his 30s, was pronounced dead a short time later.
Wiltshire 999s was on scene within an hour of the shooting – capturing pictures of armed police, HART paramedics and dog handlers dealing with the critical incident.
Following the initial response, firearms teams and dog units from both Wiltshire Police and Gloucestershire Constabulary visited Four Acres Caravan Park in South Cerney.
Several armed response vehicles pulled up at the traveller site seven miles from the murder as part of the investigation. The police helicopter was circling overhead for some time.
Scenes remained calm, and officers appeared to be welcomed onto the site by residents. It’s not clear if any arrests were made at the second location.
Police have confirmed that a man in his 70s and a woman in her 40s – have been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and assisting an offender.
At the time of publishing, no murder arrests had been made, suggesting that the suspect remains outstanding.
Back at the shooting scene, approximately six detectives from CID arrived to carry out initial enquiries ahead of the Major Crime Investigation Team – which is leading the probe.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “We have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Calcutt near Cricklade this morning (02/08).
“At around 8.15am, we received a report from the South Western Ambulance Service that a man had been shot at a traveller site in Calcutt.
“Emergency services made to the scene, where the victim, aged in his 30s, was sadly declared deceased. His next of kin are aware and our thoughts are with them at this time.
“Urgent enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
“Two people – a man in his 70s and a woman in her 40s – have been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and assisting an offender and have been taken into custody for questioning.
“A cordon is in place at the scene and a significant policing presence will remain in the area while an investigation is carried out.”
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker, from our Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “This is an incredibly serious incident, and my thoughts are with the victim’s friends and family at this devastating time.
“Enquiries are ongoing at the site and in the wider area to establish the circumstances which have led to this incident and locate all the people involved.
“A cordon is in place at the site and the road leading to it has been closed to allow for enquiries to be conducted and I would ask that this is respected.
“Those in the area will see an increased policing presence throughout the evening as enquiries continue.
“We are really keen to hear from anybody who has any information or witnessed anything suspicious this morning.
“If you can help, please contact us on 101 quoting log 95 of today’s date.”
