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A police officer at the scene of the shooting, on Church Hill, Aldershot

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Girl, 4, shot dead by father in Aldershot

By Mike Wright and Pete Castle
December 29, 2009

A FATHER shot dead his four-year-old daughter and shot his partner in the head before apparently turning the gun on himself in his Aldershot home on Tuesday.

Police found little Maisie Copland, her dad Andrew and mother, thought to be Julie Harrison, at the end of terrace house in Church Hill minutes after an argument flared between the estranged couple.

The 40-year-old mother was airlifted to hospital with gunshot wounds to the head.

The 56-year-old father was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers tried to revive Maisie but she died in the house.

Hampshire Police said it was treating the incident as a murder and attempted murder.

At a press conference outside the house on Tuesday evening Detective Inspector Darren Rawlings said: “At this stage the evidence suggests that this was a domestic incident.

“It would appear that one person in the house has discharged a firearm and at the moment we are not seeking anyone else.”

Split up

He said from what the police had learned the couple were thought to have split up four weeks before the shooting.

DI Rawlings said it appeared that the mother drove to the house in a red car just before 10am on Tuesday December 29 to drop her daughter off when a row erupted between the couple.

At 10.11am police received a call from a concerned neighbour and three male officers arrived at the house four minutes later and kicked down the door.

“The officers did try resuscitation on the child and unfortunately she did die on the scene,” DI Rawlings said.

Neighbours said that four ambulances and at least six police cars arrived at the house soon after and the road was closed off. A helicopter landed opposite the house in Manor Park before airlifting the mother to hospital.

On Tuesday evening police said she was unconscious and in a serious and critical condition at St George’s Hospital in London with officers at her bedside.

Police put up a white tent in the front garden as forensics officers began the investigation. Officers in white protective suits were seen going in and out the house throughout the afternoon and evening.

Firearm

DI Rawlings said: “We have recovered a firearm from the property. The injuries of all three people are consistent with those from a firearm.”

The bodies of the father and the child were still in the house by late Tuesday evening as forensic officers, including Home office pathologist and a ballistics expert, continued their investigation.

Police reopened Church Hill, which links Ash Road to Church Lane East, at 4.11pm but the road immediately outside the house remained cordoned off.

DI Rawlings added: “It is a very traumatic scene to go in and find three persons shot including a very young girl.

“It is a poignant time for many during the festive period and that makes it all the more tragic.”

For more on this story, see the News & Mail, out on Friday. Check back on www.gethampshire.co.uk for video footage from the scene.

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to hear of such a tragic day takes my breath away - there is no explanation for these events - the police officer that arrived first on the scene will never lose that image from his mind - how you must feel when you turn up to a situation to help and you are met with such devastation - no understanding - no explanation - just horror - that poor baby maisie - what would her final image be of her father - and the horiffic fear the mother must of had - there is no reason why someone would should ever do that - the only good that could come out of this if the person who provided that deadly weapon comes forward. "i may not of known you or your names - but now there is a gap in my heart just the same" - x x x

loublou, Aldershot
31/12/2009 at 17:45

such a young age to die.and in such tragic circumstances

bluesy
30/12/2009 at 14:09

This is such a tragedy. Can cannot imagine what went on in that house and why, however, we are not here to judge. I hope that the mother recovers, however the impact on the rest of her life will be monumentous. I pray for the rest of the family that they can come together and support each other during this very sad time. God bless the poor little mite who had her life taken away from her at such an early age, she is up with the angels now who will care for her and watch over her. I pray that there will be some form renewal for Aldershot and this sort of thing can be avoided. Blessings to all xxx

Jax Bishop, Aldershot
29/12/2009 at 21:03

Very sad to here, what a waste of peoples life. The little girls life had only just begun.

Stephen Dawson, Aldershot
29/12/2009 at 19:51

omg wot the hell is this world coming to there are so many signs of dv and ppl dont even take notice now a 4 yr old has been killed. rip lilltle angel xxx