Children's author seriously injured in 'horrific shooting' in Hampshire

The victim, named locally as James Nash, 42, is fighting for his life in hospital after suffering serious head injuries during the daytime attack in leafy Hampshire village Upper Enham on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Nash, the vice chairman of Enham Alamein parish council, lives in Holly Tree Cottage on MacCallum Road, where the attack took place at around 3pm, according to online council records.

A 40-year-old woman was also assaulted during the incident and suffered minor injuries, said Hampshire Police.R

Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, sought to reassure residents of the area, telling them officers are ‘confident’ the deceased rider, 34, is the attacker involved in the ‘horrific shooting’.

Mr North said Mr Nash is a ‘hands-on’ councillor who had ‘recently been involved in erecting speed indicator devices’.

In a statement on Friday, Mr North said: ‘I know James well and have worked with him on a number of projects... I'm still utterly shocked at this terrible incident.

‘James is such a kind-hearted individual who cares deeply for his community.

‘He is also a talented children's author and illustrator and I was extremely touched last year when one of the dedications in his latest book was to my newborn daughter, Eleanor-Ivy.

‘My thoughts remain with James, his family and the people of Enham Alamein. I hope and pray that he makes a recovery. We're all with you, James.’

The force said, while investigations are at an early stage, they ‘do not believe there are any outstanding suspects in this investigation’.

The suspect, who is believed to have initially fled the scene on foot before trying to get away on a motorbike, fatally crashed on an A-road around three miles away from the shooting site after officers gave chase.

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He died at the scene and his next-of-kin have been notified as formal identification takes place, said the force.

Hampshire Police said officers ‘also attended an address in Enham Alamein as part of this investigation’.

A statement added: ‘Officers were called to an address in MacCallum Road, Upper Enham, at 3.01pm on Wednesday August 5, following a report of an assault on a man.

‘The man had been shot and sustained serious head injuries. He remains in a critical condition in Southampton General Hospital.

‘Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances of these incidents.

‘While inquiries into the incident in Upper Enham are at an early stage, detectives do not believe there are any outstanding suspects in this investigation.’

Mr Nash, who is also an artist, has penned children's books including the self-illustrated The Winter Wild, according to Dorset-based Chapter House Books.

North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse, who is also the minister for crime and policing, said in a statement he had been briefed by a senior officer and that his thoughts were with the family after the ‘shocking shooting’.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokeswoman said the force has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

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