By Alex James in Cumbria

POLICE WERE today attempting to piece together what sparked gunman Derrick Bird’s killing spree amid reports he was involved in a bitter family feud.

Taxi driver Bird ran amok in Cumbria killing 12 people and injuring 25 more. Eight people remain in hospital this morning.

It is believed his first victim was twin brother David and reports suggest the pair were locked in a row over a will.

The massacre began yesterday with the first reports of gunshots in Whitehaven at 10.30am near a taxi rank.

Bird produced two guns – believed to be a .22 rifle with telescopic sight and a shotgun – and shot fellow taxi drivers in Duke Street, killing Darren Rewcastle.

Tribute

Other victims named locally are Kevin Commons, Jane Robinson, Ike Dixon, Susan Hughes, Kenneth Fishburn, Michael Pike, James and Jennifer Jackson and Garry Purdham.

Gary Bound, from Whitehaven, today paid tribute to Mr Purdham, a fellow rugby league player.

He said: “You couldn’t wish to meet a nicer bloke. I was in Whitehaven with my 11-year-old son when the first shooting happened and I know how hard this has been for him, so I can only imagine what it is like for Garry’s family. He’s got two young sons and my thoughts go out to his family.”

The three-hour manhunt ended with the discovery of Bird’s body 20 miles away in woods near Boot. He had taken his own life.

Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hyde today said: “We are still conducting searches. We believe we have recovered the bodies of everybody who was killed.

“We know Derrick Bird owned a firearms licence and a shotgun certificate which would have qualified him to own weapons similar to those which have been recovered. However, we need ballistics to confirm that they were the weapons used.”

Dave McClean, who works as a taxi driver for Abbey Cabs in Whitehaven, said:“It’s just devastating news. I was working yesterday and I carried on after the news because people were desperate to get home.”

Reverend John Bannister, rector of Whitehaven, said it would take people a long time to come to terms with the tragedy.