Police officer shot dead
This is Constable Richard Gray, the police officer gunned down in the line of duty as he protected the people of Shrewsbury. This is Constable Richard Gray, the police officer gunned down in the line of duty as he protected the people of Shrewsbury. One of the town's most honoured officers was shot dead after being called to the scene of a domestic argument in Castlefields. His killer, Peter Medlicott, is believed to have shot himself dead moments later. The tragedy unfolded near the Spar shop in Castlefields shortly after 6am yesterday. Mr Medlicott is believed to have been involved in a heated row with his partner, named by residents as Mildred Day, in the hours before the shooting. Constable Gray, who was in his 40s, is believed to have lived with partner Jennifer Lee in Bayston Hill and is understood to have two children from a previous marriage. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star - featuring in-depth coverage and comment inside Leave your comments in the box below
One of the town's most honoured officers was shot dead after being called to the scene of a domestic argument in Castlefields.
His killer, Peter Medlicott, is believed to have shot himself dead moments later.
The tragedy unfolded near the Spar shop in Castlefields shortly after 6am yesterday. Mr Medlicott is believed to have been involved in a heated row with his partner, named by residents as Mildred Day, in the hours before the shooting.
Constable Gray, who was in his 40s, is believed to have lived with partner Jennifer Lee in Bayston Hill and is understood to have two children from a previous marriage.
It is understood that no police firearm was discharged during the incident, but a weapon was recovered from the scene by forensic officers.
Mr Medlicott is believed to have been found dead near his first-floor flat home and the police officer pronounced dead on arrival at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
A spokesman for West Mercia Constabulary said post-mortem examinations on both men had yet to be carried out.
Eyewitnesses in the Castlefields area described running from the scene as shots rang out.
Mrs Thornes today renewed appeals for witnesses to come forward.
She said: "There is no evidence to suggest third party involvement at this stage of the inquiry."
Richard Duggan, 34, who lives in the same block as where the incident happened on New Park Road, said: "I ran down to the back of the alley, there were armed police officers on every corner and they were telling everyone, including myself, to duck down and get out of the area.
"We just did what the police said. They had it all under control."
Leanne Taylor, 17, who lived next door to Mr Medlicott, was left physically shaking after seeing his body outside their window.
She said: "At 4am my partner phoned the police because there was a guy on the roof shouting for somebody to let him back in.
"At 6am we looked outside again and there were armed police. We saw the dead man on the floor. "
West Mercia's Chief Constable Paul West said: "The whole force is extremely shocked and saddened by the death of one of our colleagues.
"It has had a profound effect on everyone who works for West Mercia Constabulary."
Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, added: "Our sympathy is with family, friends and colleagues. Officers will clearly be traumatised but they will also want to ensure this incident is investigated thoroughly and professionally."
The cordon in New Park Road was halved in size this morning allowing entry to the shops. Three police officers remained on duty on the road and two police riot vans were also parked on scene.
Mr Medlicott's parents' home in Ditherington Road remained under police guard today. Police said his parents were not at home.
Family living close-by were too upset to speak about the shooting.
