Heartfelt notes and flowers laid at scene as Stanley shooting probe enters third day

Yahoo

08-04-2025

Heartfelt tributes and flowers have been laid at the scene of a shooting in Stanley after a man was allegedly gunned down in broad daylight.
Barry Dawson was shot in his own home on Elm Street, in South Moor, at around 5.20pm on Saturday - and despite the best efforts of paramedics, he sadly died at the scene.
The 60-year-old has been described as a "thoroughly decent man" - and his death has prompted an outpouring of grief from the shocked Stanley community.
Flowers laid at the scene of a fatal shooting in Stanley (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
More than a dozen bouquets of flowers have been laid against brickwork on the street, just metres from a blue and white police cordon and a CSI investigation tent.
Heart-breaking notes to Barry, who worked for a crisp factory KP Snacks, say 'you will be missed' - with others adding: 'Rest easy now.'
The investigation into Barry's death - whose friends today claimed is a case of mistaken identity - has now entered its third day, with crime scene investigators remaining at the scene.
Flowers laid at the scene of a fatal shooting in Stanley (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Pictures from the scene show that several police vans remain on Elm Street, with the blue tent positioned beside a shattered front window.
Durham Constabulary confirmed yesterday that a post-mortem examination revealed Mr Dawson, known to friends as 'Buck', died of a single gunshot wound.
A 37-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman who were previously arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder on Sunday remain in police custody.
Police remain at the scene (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Flowers laid at the scene of a fatal shooting in Stanley (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
As previously reported, residents described the broad daylight attack as 'terrifying' - with Danielle Scott, who lives a few doors away, saying: 'I never thought I would experience anything like this. I want to move out, I don't want to be here.'
Shocking footage of the alleged incident has also since been uploaded to social media, showing two figures outside a house in the street before one appears to fire a shot through the blinds.
Officers are still appealing for witnesses to come forward and are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a white Seat Arona in the area around the time of the incident.
Police remain at the scene (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
The vehicle has since been found abandoned nearby in the Oxhill area and has been examined by crime scene investigators.
Read More:
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Stanley shooting: Friends claim 'murder' of grandad was 'mistake'
Police name victim of fatal Stanley shooting as Barry Dawson
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A cordon remains in place at the scene while enquiries continue.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101, or 999 in an emergency, quoting incident number 302 of April 5.
Information can also be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.