Two men have been gunned down in a brutal double killing at a traveller’s site, police revealed today.
Armed police and firefighters were called after out at 10.15pm on Tuesday after receiving reports of gunfire and a car set alight at Willow Park in Beck Row, Suffolk.
Cops found one man lying dead on the ground at the entrance to the traveller’s camp after he suffered suspected ‘gun shot wounds’.
Crews also tackled a car fire and found a badly burned body inside, believed to be a man, who had also been shot.
Several traveller families were evacuated from the camp amid fears the car fire could spread and cause gas canisters to explode but no one else was injured
The double killings come just four weeks after five men were arrested at the site, near RAF Mildenhall, after shots were fired at a vehicle and mobile home.
A spokesman for Suffolk Constabulary revealed detectives are ”keeping an open mind” over the double shooting.
He said: ”Police were contacted by a member of the public in the area just after 10.15pm reporting she had heard what she thought were a number of gun shots.
”Officers then took reports that there was a fire on the site. Armed police immediately attended along with the fire service.
”On their arrival they found a car on fire at the entrance to the site and a man on the ground. He was dead and appeared to have sustained gun shot wounds.
”A second body was found in the car. This person also appears to have sustained gun shot wounds.
”Because of the fire there was initial concern for residents, some of whom were evacuated from their homes due to proximity of gas canisters at the site.
”It is currently too early to link this with the previous incident but we are keeping an open mind as to whether there is a connection.”
Police and firefighters remained at the scene yesterday after cordoning off the entrance to the traveller’s site.
Forensic teams were due to search the area yesterday.
No one has been arrested in connection with the shootings and detectives are appealing for witnesses.
Armed police were called to Willow Park on Thursday February 17 when gun shots were fired at a mobile home and a vehicle.
No one was hurt but two men aged 28 and 38 were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a 74-year-old was held over the possession of an offensive weapon.
All three were arrested in the Beck Row area.
A 42-year-old from London and a man, 39, from Spain, were later arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
All five remain on police bail until the middle of April.