Man held over village gun attack

Two women were killed in the gun attack

A 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a gun attack in a village which left two women dead and one seriously injured.

Police were called to a home in Highmoor Cross, near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, late on Sunday afternoon after reports of gunfire.

Thames Valley Police have declined to give any details about the victims.

A spokesman said the man, who has not been named, was arrested at 0300 BST on Monday in Peterborough.

My reaction is just shock, horror and disbelief. It's very, very sad Angela Spencer-Harper Neighbour

He has since been taken back to the Thames Valley area for questioning.

A spokesman for the Royal Berkshire Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call at 1640 BST on Sunday from someone saying a person had been shot.

Another caller reported seeing an armed man on foot near the scene.

Just over one hour later, an ambulance crew was able to reach the victims in the house with police protection.

Danger levels

Two women with gunshot wounds were then taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading.

Detective Chief Superintendent David McWhirter said it had "all the hallmarks" of a domestic incident.

The force defended the time taken for ambulance colleagues to attend the wounded.

A spokesperson said: "The force helicopter was dispatched within 10 minutes to assist in establishing the level of danger at the scene.

"Those running the operation had to be confident no one's safety would be put at further risk before authorising personnel to approach the house."

'Obviously a tragedy'

Neighbours reacted with shock to the violence in the quiet Oxfordshire village.

Angela Spencer-Harper, 72, who edits the local village magazine, said: "My reaction is just shock, horror and disbelief. It's very, very sad."

The first time they realised there was something wrong was when they heard helicopters flying over the house, she said.

"They were sweeping very low and obviously using those heat detectors.

"The last time we had a serious call-out like that, it was for that scientist, Dr David Kelly."

Builder Richard Wilson, 52, said: "It's just a very quiet country village. It's obviously a tragedy."