A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after Jimmy Ward, 36, was fatally shot at the Calcutt Traveller Site near Swindon on Sunday. Wiltshire Police announced the arrest on Tuesday afternoon.
In a subsequent development, two other men, aged 53 and 29, were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of assisting an offender. These arrests followed a vehicle stop on the A19, bringing the total number of individuals in custody to five. Previously, a man in his 70s and a woman in her 40s were arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm and assisting an offender.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker stated, "This is a significant development in our investigation." Mr. Ward, a father, sustained fatal gunshot wounds at the permanent, council-approved site.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at the site around 8:15 a.m. on Sunday. Despite the efforts of paramedics, Mr. Ward was pronounced dead at the scene. Police subsequently launched a murder investigation.
Tributes have been shared for Mr. Ward. One message read, "RIP to my daughter-in-law's dad Jimmy Ward. Please everyone pray for all the family, my heart goes out to them all." Another stated, "Very hard to believe. Rest in heavenly peace my cousin Jimmy Ward." A local resident offered condolences, "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."
Wiltshire Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the shooting or anything suspicious in the area on Sunday morning to come forward. Information can be provided by contacting police on 101, quoting log 95 of August 2, or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.