Police seek motive after man of 60 is shot dead in high-speed car chase

Britain's gun crime epidemic claimed another victim yesterday when a man was shot dead after a high-speed car chase between two cities.

Britain's gun crime epidemic claimed another victim yesterday when a man was shot dead after a high-speed car chase between two cities.

The 60-year-old unidentified victim, from Leicester, was sitting in the back of a car with three friends after a night out in Nottingham when another vehicle drove up behind them and started flashing its lights. The driver of the first car accelerated in an attempt to shake off the pursuer, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph during a chase that continued for more than 13 miles. As they approached Leicester, the second car pulled alongside them and a shot was fired. Police said that the motive might have been a road rage attack, robbery or a case of mistaken identity.

The incident was the latest in a spate of shootings which began last week with the murder of 64-year-old Marian Bates at a family-run jewellery shop in Arnold, just outside Nottingham. She was hit when she stepped in front of her daughter who was being threatened with a gun. Police investigating her murder have arrested four men in connection with the theft of a scooter used to flee from the store.

In a separate incident, three people, including the DJ Andre Shepherd, were injured ina shooting in Reading on Friday. Two men arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder have been released on bail.

In yesterday's killing, police said the victim and his friends were in a red Nissan Primera, pursued by what they believed to be a blue Ford Fiesta or Escort.

Detective Superintendent Martin Morrissey, of Leicestershire Police, said: "I am appealing to anyone who saw two cars being driven at high speed along the A46, between Nottingham and Leicester, during the early hours of the morning to come forward."

One occupant of the Ford was described as a white man, aged between 30 and 40 years, well built, with dark hair. The second person was a white woman, with long fair hair.

* Adeel Akabar, 24, a married security guard, was shot dead when a gang of up to 20 men armed with baseball bats and guns burst into a house in Leyton, east London, on Tuesday evening. Several other people were hit with baseball bats.

Detectives appealed for anyone who may have seen the gang running off to call the incident room on 020 8345 3865 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Police have arrested a man in his mid-30s in Ilford.