09-05-2025
Whaley Bridge: 'Complex' burglary shooting death case continues a year on
An investigation into a fatal shooting which happened during a burglary is continuing a year on, police the early hours of 1 May 2024, Derbyshire Police was called to reports of a burglary in Eccles Road in Whaley Bridge and found 19-year-old Marcus Smith with fatal gunshot wounds, and another teen with a gunshot wound nearby.A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, and three others - aged 19, 21 and 31 respectively - were arrested in connection with the all remain on bail, police said, and a "complex" probe is still under way.
The initial call made to police, at about 01:20 BST, was a report of a Smith, a resident of neighbouring Chapel-en-le-Frith who played football for a local team and was a DJ at a pub in the area, was found fatally injured at the scene.A second 19-year-old found injured nearby was taken to was later arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary, while a 21-year-old was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary after the vehicle he was travelling in was stopped on the A6 near Chapel-en-le-Frith later the same following day, a 31-year-old was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.
Det Chief Insp Claudia Musson, who is leading the investigation, said the force was working "tirelessly" to "build a file" to allow the Crown Prosecution Service to take the case to said: "While some time has now passed, investigations of this kind are complex and rely on expert evidence which does take time."It is important that a proportionate and thorough investigation takes place and that is what myself and my team are focused on."
