Tributes have poured in for a father who was killed in a mass shooting at a traveller site on Sunday morning.
Jimmy Ward, who was in his thirties, suffered fatal gunshot wounds at the Calcutt Traveller Site, a permanent council-approved Gypsy and Traveller site near Cricklade, on the outskirts of Swindon.
Emergency services were called to the site just after 8.15am, where Mr Ward was pronounced dead at the scene.
A residential street has been cordoned off following the incident and a white forensic tent remains in place.
Wiltshire Police have launched a murder investigation following the event, with a man in his 70s and a woman in her 40s arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm and assisting an offender. Both remain in police custody.
Tributes have now flooded in for Mr Ward, who it is believed leaves behind a wife and children.
One mourner wrote: ‘RIP to my daughter-in-law’s dad Jimmy Ward. Please everyone pray for all the family, my heart goes out to them all.’
‘Very hard to believe. Rest in heavenly peace my cousin Jimmy Ward,’ added another.
Jimmy Ward, who was in his thirties, was shot at the grounds in Cricklade in Wiltshire on Sunday
Emergency services were called to the site at around 8.15am, but despite the efforts of paramedics, Mr Ward was pronounced dead at the scene
A man in his 70s and a woman in her 40s had been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm and assisting an offender and remain in police custody
Police have launched a murder investigation following the fatal shooting
Tributes have now flooded in for Mr Ward, who it is believed leaves behind a wife and children
‘Thinking of all the family and friends at this very sad time, sending lots of love to his wife and children. Far too young to die, rest in peace,’ said another local.
Others have described him as ‘a gentleman.’
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker, from Wiltshire Police’s 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.’
He urged people to respect the cordon and road closure while the investigation continues.
Officers are also appealing for anyone who witnessed the shooting or saw anything suspicious in the area this morning to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 95 of August 2.
Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
