Church leaders in Cumbria have expressed their sorrow over yesterday's shooting spree by a taxi driver in the Lake District. Derrick Bird, 52, drove down country lanes and through several villages in the Western Lakes area, shooting dead 12 people at random as they were going about their daily business yesterday morning.
They included 66-year-old Jane Robinson, who was shot dead in the picturesque village of Seascale as she delivered catalogues.
Locals told local newspaper the Daily Post that she was a popular woman who did a lot of charity and church work.
Harry Berger was also shot and killed in Seascale, while another man was injured when he was shot while riding his bike.
In a joint statement, the church leaders said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been caught up in the terrible events of yesterday, but particularly they are with the family and friends of those who have been killed or injured. The community grieves deeply at the losses we have suffered; the confusion and pain will be long-lasting."
The statement was signed by the Anglican Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, President of the United Reformed Church Cumbria Area, the Rev Rachel Poolman, Chair of the Cumbria Methodist District the Rev Richard Teal, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Lancaster the Rt Rev Michael Campbell, and the Cumbria Baptist Network Minister, the Rev John Goddard.
They said their churches in the area were offering support to people affected by the shooting, including people working in the hospitals and emergency services.
"The church will continue to play a longer term role in providing support and sanctuary to those who need it, and we strongly encourage all churches in the area to make their buildings and people available for people to come and pray, light candles and have someone to talk to," they said.
"The communities of West Cumbria are close-knit and hugely supportive, and we know that people throughout the area will be caring deeply for each other both now and in the months to come.
"Christians in Cumbria and further afield are praying for everyone who has been affected, and are doing everything they can to offer comfort and practical help at a local level."
Bird conducted the three hour killing spree from his grey taxi, leaving a trail of victims in the usually quiet villages of Whitehaven, Egremont and Gosforth. It came to an end when he turned the gun on himself.
Police confirmed that Bird’s twin brother David and solicitor Kevin Commons were among the dead. They are considering the possibility that a family row provoked Bird to commit the massacre.
Richard Lee, Rector of St Mary’s and St Michael’s Church in Egremont, told the Post: “It’s very like Liverpool here, everybody knows everybody else. A colleague of mine has been in Wilton today where I’ve been told a married couple were shot dead. The real work will come after today when people begin to realise it’s actually real.”
Cumbrian church leaders have written a prayer for the affected communities:
O God, Creator of us all,
in your Son, Jesus you have walked the way of darkness and death,
you send your Spirit of healing and truth to all in need
We pray for those injured or bereaved by inexplicable violence
May your gracious compassion surround and uphold them
We pray for all individuals and communities whose lives have been changed by this tragedy
May your sustaining love be present in all expressions of support offered and help received
We give thanks for the commitment and dedication of the emergency services
And pray that they may be given the strength they need to serve others
We give thanks for the resilience and courage of West Cumbrians
And pray that the bonds of community care and concern may hold fast at this time
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
And let our cry come unto you
Amen.