Pictured: Gunman who shot children’s author then died as he fled the scene
A motorcyclist who died after shooting a children’s author in the head in his front garden has been named.
Alex Sartain, 34, carried out an assassination-style hit on James Nash, 42, who survived the ‘horrific shooting’ in the village of Upper Enham, Hampshire, at 3pm on Wednesday.
Sartain then fled on a motorbike, but died a short time later after crashing during a police chase on the A343. Mr Nash was taken to hospital with serious injuries while a 40-year-old woman suffered minor injuries.
Residents expressed shock and ‘disbelief’ that the local mechanic could have been behind the attack and were at a loss as to why he might have done it.
One, who wished to remain anonymous, said her daughter went to school with Sartain, describing him as a ‘lovely boy’.
The woman, who is in her 40s, said: ‘Alex is the guy that crashed. My daughter knew him but I didn’t think he was a bad person. I believe his dad owns the garage. It’s his dad’s motorcycle business.
‘I don’t think they are bad people. I have heard there was some kind of issue between Alex and the Nashes but I don’t know what it could be.
‘I haven’t seen him for some years but as far as I know he lived with his dad at the garage.
‘I have seen James at a few meetings and he seemed to have fitted into village life very well. He bought that old cottage and did it up.’
Another resident, who again did not wish to be named said that Sartain worked as a mechanic and that people in the village were speculating on motives.
Speaking outside her home just down the road from the scene of the attack she said: ‘We don’t know what the reason could be. Mr Nash was well liked and he was a nice man.
‘We know the guy who shot him was called Alex Sartain, he used to help fix motorbikes. I think he worked at the garage but I have never met him.’
The motive for the attack is not yet known, but it is being treated as a deliberate murder attempt, according to The Times, and police are not looking for any other people.
James Roberts, who lives close to Mr Nash’s home told the Daily Mail: ‘I heard a loud bang and thought somebody had let off a firework. And soon after, there was police everywhere.’
‘We’re all quiet shocked because this place is as quiet as it gets. We’re in the middle of the countryside and not much happens around here. The only noise you get is from animals.
Mr Nash, who works at the Science and Technology Facilities Council in Didcot, was described by neighbours as a ‘lovely guy’.
They said he is an author and artist, living with wife Dr Nash who works for the same organisation in a research lab.
One woman said: ‘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.’
Mr Nash’s father, Peter, told The Times from the family home in Dorset they had not been updated on his condition or whether he would pull through, adding: ‘I hope to God he does.’
A police spokesman confirmed that a man was being treated at Southampton General Hospital and they had referred themselves to the Independence Office for Police Conduct as a result of Sartain’s death near to the scene on the A343.
They added that they were searching a couple of properties in relation to the incident.
Chief Inspector Kory Thorne, Test Valley district commander, said: ‘We know residents in the Upper Enham and Hurstbourne Tarrant areas will have been concerned by what happened yesterday.
‘They are likely to see a continued police presence in these areas while we investigate the circumstances.
‘Officers from our Neighbourhood Policing Team will also be carrying out patrols for added reassurance. If you live in the area and have any concerns, please speak to them.’
Local council leader Phil North said: ‘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.
‘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.’
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