Children's book-writing parish councillor, 42, is seriously injured after being shot near his cottage in an upmarket Hampshire village by biker who then died in police chase as he fled
- Armed police called to shooting in quiet hamlet of Upper Enham, near Andover, Hants, yesterday afternoon
- Officers gave chase after bike was seen fleeing shooting, which injured man, 42, named locally as James Nash
- As the motorbike rider fled from police the bike was involved in crash in nearby village of Hurstbourne Tarrant
- The rider, who is believed to be the shooter, was pronounced dead at the crash scene, Hampshire Police said
A parish councillor has today been named locally as the victim of a shocking shooting in a remote hamlet in which the suspect fled on a motorbike before crashing and dying.
Locals said James Nash, whose wife is a top space scientist, is in hospital being treating for gun shot wounds following the Hampshire shooting.
Mr Nash is a self-employed artist who writes children's books while his wife, Dr Sarah Nash, works at a research laboratory for the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
Armed officers swooped on idyllic Upper Enham, Hants, yesterday afternoon after the attack which police said left a 42-year-old man with serious injuries.
Police gave chase after the shooting suspect, who is believed to have initially left the scene on foot before jumping onto a motorbike, was seen fleeing the area.
But as police raced in pursuit, the rider crashed on the A343 in Hurstbourne Tarrant. The crash site is three miles from the scene of the shooting, in MacCallum Road, Upper Enham.
The rider died at the scene of crash, according to Hampshire Police, who have launched an investigation.
Locals said James Nash, whose wife is a top space scientist, is in hospital being treating for gun shot wounds following shooting in Upper Enham yesterday
Armed officers swooped on idyllic Upper Enham, Hants, yesterday afternoon after the attack which police said left a 42-year-old man with serious injuries. Pictured: Police at the scene of the shooting in MacCallum Road, Upper Enham, today
Police gave chase after the shooting suspect, who is believed to have initially left the scene on foot before jumping onto a motorbike, was seen fleeing the area. Pictured: Police forensic teams were at the scene of the shooting today
The crash site was three miles from the scene of the shooting, in MacCallum Road, Upper Enham. The rider died at the scene of crash, police say
According to a local council chief, police believe the rider was responsible for the shooting and officers 'are not looking for anyone else'.
Meanwhile the shooting victim is currently being treated for his injuries at Southampton General Hospital, say police.
Mr Nash, who is a councillor for Enham Alamein Parish Council, and his wife live in a detached two bedroom cottage in Upper Enham.
He was named as the victim by a resident who lives nearby and is said to be an an active councillor who has been heavily involved with the local community.Speaking of Mr Nash, the resident said: 'I know the guy that got shot. He writes children's books and he is an artist. I know of him and I have spoken to him but I don't know him as a friend.
'He is a lovely guy. He would literally do anything for anyone. He helps out with lots of things.
'A few years ago we had a Fair and he was asked because he had a tractor to come and help out. He is a really nice person whenever I have spoken to him.
'He renovated his whole house recently and it looks very modern.'
Dr Nash works at the Science and Technology Facilities Council in Didcot in Oxford.
The research laboratory is a government agency that carries out research in science and engineering.
Its areas of specialism include particle physics, nuclear physics, space science and astronomy Mr Nash describes himself on his blog as 'a naturalist, first and foremost devoted to the conservation of our wild world'.
As police raced in pursuit of the motorbike, the rider crashed on the A343 in Hurstbourne Tarrant. Pictured: Police at the scene of the crash
The rider died at the scene of crash (pictured), according to Hampshire Police, who have launched an investigation and referred the incident to the Independent Officer for Police Conduct (IOPC)
The site says he is resident artist at The Hawk Conservancy Trust based in Andover, Hants.
Hampshire Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
A spokesperson for the force said: 'We have launched an investigation after a man was shot on Wednesday, August 5, in Upper Enham near Andover shortly after 3pm.
'Officers were called to an address in MacCallum Road following a report of an assault on a man.
'It's now known the 42-year-old victim was shot and received serious injuries. He is currently receiving treatment at Southampton General Hospital.
'A motorcycle failed to stop for officers in connection with this incident.
'A short time later a motorbike crashed on the A343 near Hurstbourne Tarrant and the road has been closed while emergency services attend. The motorcyclist died at the scene.'
Hampshire Police say a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Officer for Police Conduct (IOPC) and that officers have attended a property in nearby Enham Alamein as part of this investigation.
A spokesperson today told MailOnline that officers were in the early stages of their investigation and were trying to establish the circumstances.
MailOnline has contacted the IOPC for a comment.
Local council leader Phil North, who represents the ward in which the incident took place in, described it as an 'absolutely horrible incident'.
Councillor North, who represents the Bourne Valley Ward and is leader of Test Valley Borough Council, said in a statement on Facebook: '(This is) an absolutely horrible incident in my Bourne Valley Ward this afternoon.
According to a local council chief, police believe the rider was responsible for the shooting and 'are not looking for anyone else'. Pictured: MacCallum Road in Upper Enham, where the shooting took place
Hampshire Police, who last night closed off a road, say a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Officer for Police Conduct (IOPC) and that officers have attended a property in nearby Enham Alamein as part of this investigation
'My thoughts are with the family of the man who was shot - and the communities of both Enham Alamein and Hurstbourne Tarrant.
'I've been informed of some of the details by local sources this evening but I certainly don't have a full picture.
'I will hopefully get further information from the police in the morning and that they will be able to reassure local residents.
'But tonight, let's all hope that the victim of the shooting makes a full recovery.'
In another post today, he added: 'I know this will be a very worrying time for the community and until the police complete their investigations we won't get a full understanding of the incident.
'The police have confirmed that they are not looking for anyone else though and that they're confident that the deceased suspect is responsible, which I hope will reassure residents.'
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