Father of three shot in the head

A man gunned down on a residential estate was married with three children.

Richard Long, 22, was chased then shot in the head in Lewsey Farm, Luton, on Tuesday night.

Today Bedfordshire Police said the targeted attack was linked to Mr Long's "lifestyle" but urged anyone with any information about the killing to come forward.

The 22-year-old was found on the pavement in Haymarket Road just before 9pm on Tuesday night. He was rushed to hospital but later pronounced dead.

Today police said a post mortem examination revealed he had been shot in the head.

Yesterday neighbours described hearing a bang,
and finding Mr Long lying in a pool of blood.

A police spokeswoman said today they have already spoken to a number of witnesses.

She said it is thought Mr Long was in the area accompanied by other men in a small hatchback car.

They drove into Thatch Close where he got out of the car before being chased.

The spokeswoman said Mr Long stumbled over the railings that fence the recreational area in front of Haymarket Road and it was while lying on the ground that he was shot.

She said the offenders are described as two black men in their 20s who wore baseball caps with the peak to the rear and baggy dark clothes.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Collin, from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "This shooting was a very public event that has understandably left a local community feeling extremely vulnerable, which is why it is vital that people with information about what happened come forward and speak to the police.

"We cannot tolerate the use of guns in our town so I urge anyone who has information about the offenders or the whereabouts of the red hatchback to contact the police.

"We firmly believe that this was a targeted attack and that Richard's death was closely linked to his lifestyle, which of course will be closely examined.

"Regardless of that, Richard was a married man with a young family.

"His loved ones deserve to see those responsible for his death brought to justice.

"If you know who killed Richard please contact the police."