Gunman's family 'utterly devastated' by massacre

(David Moir / Reuters)

The family of crazed gunman Derrick Bird said today they were "utterly devastated" by the massacre which left 12 dead.

Father-of-two Bird first killed his twin David before going on a shooting spree in west Cumbria.

Today the Rev Jim Marshall, curate of St Michael's Church in Lamplugh, said the family had no idea why Bird flipped.

"If they had the strength to do it, they were the sort of people who would have gone round to each one of the (families of) people killed and wounded to apologise. That is the strength of their feelings," he said.

"Having said that their brother, their father and son is a person who in all sorts of respects still has their respect because he's not the person they saw and heard about on Wednesday.

"For 52 years they see one man, for several hours they heard about another."

Mr Marshall also read out a short statement on behalf of the killer's sons Graeme and Jamie.

It said: "We are utterly devastated about the death of our father Derrick Bird. To us, he was the nicest man you could ever meet.

"We would like to say that we do not know why our dad committed these horrific crimes. We are both mortified by these sad events.

"Dad was a loving and cheerful character and was well-known throughout the whole community and in the areas where he worked.

"He will be missed by us, by his family and friends."

They sent their condolences to their father's victims.

Bird's elder brother Brian also issued a statement saying: "The loss of both my brothers is devastating. They were both very caring, family people. They were well-known and respected in their local communities.

"My family and I are saddened at the loss of life and woundings and can only offer our condolences to the families concerned.

"We appreciate what they are suffering at this time. We cannot offer any reason why Derrick took it upon himself to commit these crimes."

In the early hours of Wednesday self-employed taxi driver Bird claimed his first victim. It is thought a simmering grudge against his twin brother over money left by their late father Joe sparked the mass killings.

Joe Bird gave David £25,000 before he died in October 1998 at the age of 82.

Police also confirmed the taxman was investigating Bird and friends have spoken about a mystery £60,000 in his bank account.

After blasting David to death at his home, Bird went on to target others police believe he may have had bitter feuds with in the past.

He killed family solicitor Kevin Commons and then pumped bullets at his fellow cabbies outside the rank in Whitehaven, claiming the life of Darren Rewcastle.

Police then thought he went on an hour-long rampage killing random passers-by. However last night details emerged of another man who was seemingly on Bird's hit-list but had a lucky escape.

Neighbours of Jason Carey - who went scuba diving with Bird - said the killer banged on his front door. But Mr Carey, who lives in Wilton, had been on the night shift and did not answer.

After failing to rouse Mr Carey, Bird continued driving, firing his shotgun and .22 rifle from the window of his taxi.

Police launched a frantic manhunt which only ended when Bird took his own life in remote woodland after abandoning his car.

Details of funerals for Bird and his victims are still not clear.

Mr Marshall said the family had at one stage considered a joint funeral for the twins - but this was now not going to happen.

"I think that may have been the family wanting to get the whole thing out of the way in one go ... through the idea they came into this world together and now they will go out together."

Yesterday police said they had seized reams of paperwork and a computer from Bird's home and were scanning the documents for clues on why he snapped.

But because Bird apparently left no suicide note investigators remain in the dark about why he embarked on the attacks.

The other victims were Kenneth Fishburn, 71, Susan Hughes, 57, James Jackson, 67, Jennifer Jackson, 68, Isaac Dixon, 65, Michael Pike, 64, Jane Robinson, 66, Jamie Clark, 23, and Garry Purdham, 31.