Hunt for handgun in murder probe

The body of Kingsley Monk, 45, a father-of-two, was found at the scene Witness describes scene of death

Police are continuing to search for a discarded handgun in a murder inquiry as officers were granted more time to question a 52-year-old suspect.

The Cardiff man was arrested at Newport railway station on Monday of suspicion of murdering Kingsley Monk, 45.

The company director died at the offices of Driverline 247, a driver recruitment agency, at New Inn, near Pontypool, on Monday lunchtime.

Officers have been granted an extra 36 hours to question the man in custody.

It was thought a handgun was carried but not fired during the incident at Driverline 247, police said.

Officers have been searching the A4042 between Newport and Abergavenny and have asked anyone who sees anything in the area that appears to be a handgun not to touch it but to contact police immediately.

Detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death of the father-of-two.

The suspect was arrested in Newport on Monday night on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and false imprisonment.

Three other men were injured in the incident and the office was set on fire.

All three local men, aged 26, 45 and 55, have now been released from hospital.

TIMELINE OF THE DRAMA 1325 BST, Monday: Emergency services called to offices of Driverline 247 in New Inn, Pontypool, where they find one man dead, three more hurt Mid-afternoon: Armed police officers surround a house in Rumney, Cardiff, some 20 miles away. 2000 BST: Ambulance service confirm it has been stood down from the Rumney incident 2030 BST: Gwent Police say a 52-year-old man is under arrest

Chief Inspector Huw Nicholas from Gwent Police said: "The motive of the incident remains unclear.

"However, it is clear is that the four victims were restrained and kept in the building for a number of hours before the emergency services were alerted.

"Following the incident a 52-year-old man was arrested at Newport railway station. He remains in custody and continues to be questioned in relation to the matter.

"We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. Numerous enquiries are being carried out as part of the investigation.

"It is believed that even though no shots were fired, the offender was armed with what appeared to be a handgun and police have today been searching A4042 where it is believed the suspect discarded the weapon."

He added police believed the attacker was known to Mr Monk.

Ch Insp Nicholas also said inquiries had also been conducted at an address in the Rumney area of Cardiff, in the South Wales Police area, which was surrounded by armed officers for six hours before it was found to be empty.

Neighbours said the man who lived in the house in Rumney was Russell Carter.

The identity of the man who was arrested has not been released.

Police said he was arrested at Newport railway station at about 2030 BST on Monday.

A post-mortem examination will try to establish the cause of Mr Monk's death.

Officers are with his family to offer them support "following this tragic incident", police said.