Anger at police after Essex gun killings
Neighbours of a woman and young child found dead following a shooting incident in Britain today claimed police had failed to prevent the tragedy.
The bodies of the woman, named locally as Christine Chambers and her daughter Shania, believed to be around two and a half years old, were discovered by police this morning at an address in Bartram Avenue, Braintree, Essex.
Neighbours said another child escaped through a window to a nearby house during the incident.
A man, named locally as David Oakes and believed to be Shania’s father, was under guard in hospital after the shootings.
Police said they were not searching for anyone else in connection with the deaths.
There were dramatic scenes outside the house after the incident as a neighbour shouted at police: “You knew this was going to happen, you could have stopped it.”
The man was led away by officers.
Another neighbour, who declined to be named, said: “She had called the police before on several occasions and there had been a lot of problems in the past.
“Like everybody, she had her ups and downs and we knew there were problems. We knew she was worried about what might happen to her and it seemed she was living in fear.”
It was reported that Ms Chambers, who is believed to have been in her late 30s, was in dispute with Mr Oakes.
A David Oakes and a Christine Chambers were listed to attend Chelmsford County Court today for a family proceedings hearing, an official at the court confirmed.
A police spokeswoman said the incident was being treated as a double murder.
Officers were called to the address shortly before 3am.
Essex Police said in a statement: “Officers were called to an address at Bartram Avenue, Braintree, in the early hours of today where they found the bodies of a woman and a child.
“A man is currently in hospital under police guard and police are not seeking anyone else in connection with this incident at this time.
“Officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are at the scene and inquiries are continuing into the circumstances leading up to this incident.
Ms Chambers had lived in the street of council houses for about eight years.
One neighbour, who declined to be named, said the victim was unemployed.
She said: “She was an out-going and friendly woman. Everyone in the neighbourhood knew her and she was devoted to her daughter.”
Neighbour Tony Challis said police arrived at the house at 3am and spent around two hours negotiating with the gunman.
Officers could be seen attempting to talk to him through the letterbox.
He added: “It was about 4.45am when we heard two gunshots from inside the house. We saw officers rushing through the door.
“Everybody was out on the street watching. We couldn’t believe what was happening.”
Another neighbour, Karen Bathurst, said the victim was a “great mother” and her daughter was a “lovely little girl”.
“None of us can believe this has happened to them,” she said.
Angela Bass, 47, who was staying with her mother, 78-year-old Sylvia Bass, in Bartram Avenue, said she had been woken by the sound of police dogs barking in the streets.
“I looked out of my window and saw police cars, ambulances and fire engines.” She said she had heard two “very loud bangs”.
“I thought at first it was police getting the front door to open. I don’t think it was the front door now, I believe it was gun shots.”
