Pensioner 'shot dead by another elderly resident' in Essex care home

A woman, 80, has been shot dead at a care home in Essex

The newsagent, who did not want to be named, said the man accused of murdering the woman shot her in a communal area of the care home. Essex Police confirmed the shooting took place in a communal area.

A man, who was also a resident at the care home, has been arrested on suspicion of murder

An 86-year-old man, who was also a resident at the care home, has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the incident in privately run £2,000 a month Delamer House in Walton-on-the-Naze. Staff rushed in to disarm the suspect after hearing shots just after 9am this morning, DCI Simon Werret of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said.


Police and ambulance crews attended but sadly the unnamed woman died from a gunshot wound. Essex Police confirmed the arrested man and victim were known to each other and were both residents in the home.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are leading the murder inquiry. DCI 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 enquiries are ongoing.”

A cordon has been put in place at the premises whilst forensic searches are conducted. Douglas Carswell, the Ukip MP whose Clacton constituency includes Walton-on-the-Naze, said he was "very shocked" by the shooting in the town which he described as usually a peaceful place.

He said: "It's very shocking. If you have got a loved one in a care home, you expect them to be safe.
"People need to know the exact circumstances of what happened, it is extremely disturbing. "Walton-on-the-Naze is supposed to be one of the most peaceful and tranquil places there is - elderly people want to be in a peaceful and tranquil environment. Of all the places you expect this to happen, this is the last."

The care home houses 57 elderly patients, mainly those who suffer from dementia, and is just yards from the seafront. It received a glowing report from the Care Quality Commission last year, and was described as "safe, clean and hygienic". A spokeswoman for the care home said she was unable to comment until staff had spoken with police.