Woman shot dead at care home in Essex, England

Police in England have started a murder inquiry after a woman in her 80s was shot dead at a care home.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, at Delamer House in Naze Park Road, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, police said.

A man, also a resident at the same address, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Police said both victim and suspect were known to each other.

Emergency services were called to the home just after 9am following reports that a woman had been seriously injured, police said.

Officers and ambulance crews attended but the woman died.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Werrett, who is leading the investigation, said: “At this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation and our inquiries are ongoing.”

Forensic searches are being conducted at the care home, police said.

Douglas Carswell, the Ukip MP for the area, said he was “very shocked” by the news, adding that Walton-on-the-Naze was usually a peaceful place.

“It’s very shocking. If you have got a loved one in a care home, you expect them to be safe,” he said.

“People need to know the exact circumstances of what happened, it is extremely disturbing.”

A spokeswoman for the care home said there would be no comment until staff had spoken with police.

PA