Armed and dangerous in Northumberland

Raoul Moat, a 37 year old ex doorman, spoke of ‘making plans’ two months into an 18 week prison sentence. This was told to fellow inmates after having received a call from his six year on-off girlfriend (Samantha Stobbart) telling Moat that the relationship was over and that she was now claiming to be seeing a police officer. Moat was released last Thursday and accusations of his plans were not taken seriously by police because his history of offences was ‘not serious enough.’ Not until Saturday morning when he had already shot Samantha and her boyfriend.

It was told that Raoul Moat was sat hiding in his ex-girlfriend’s apartment whilst he could hear her discussing with her new boyfriend just how little she thought of Moat. In a mad rage Raoul revealed himself from his hiding place and shot both Samantha and her boyfriend, Chris Brown, 29. It is thought that Moat shot Chris Brown first (who actually worked as a karate instructor) and killed him and then changed is ammunition before shooting his girlfriend. In an attempt to harm her and leave a scar, but not kill her. Samantha Stobbart is now in a serious condition in hospital.

As the murderer fled the scene of the crime, two phone calls were made. He dialed his friend, Anthony Wright, explaining to him what he had done and explaining the lack of ammo (and how he only had two shots left,) and then called 999 claiming that he was now on his way to kill a police officer. It was then revealed that minutes after the call PC. David Rathbond was shot twice –once being in his face- as part of an unprovoked attack.

Anthony Wright then told the police about the information he had, knowing that Moat had little ammunition. Anthony said he was scared for his friend as he believed he will face a shooting showdown with the police, knowing that he will die because he has no ammunition. This however is questionable. Has Raoul really run out of ammunition? Was this his real intention?

With three people shot and Raoul in hiding, Yvette Forman, a previous girlfriend of his, decided to tip off the police about where he could possibly be hiding. The waitress suggested searching in the woods close by Rothbury (where she was living) explaining that when they were together they spent many memories there together. The police, desperately trying to find the killer, took Yvette’s advice upon themselves and checked the area. Of course Moat had already moved on, but a letter from Moat was found addressed to Samantha explaining why he went ahead with the attack.

The 49 page letter founded in a secluded area near Rothbury was examined by the police over the weekend (3rd and 4th July). From this letter various vital pieces of information became clear to the police. The letter mentioned that his main target for attack was the police and that he would not have attacked Sam’s boyfriend if he knew his true occupation. The letter also detailed how he made Karl Ness drive him to the shootings. The letter also contained a list of people he felt had done wrong by him, he added that he feels as though some of them people deserve to be shot also. In the letter he admitted that he was a ‘murderer and a maniac’ and that he would keep on killing the police until he was dead.

Recent bids by the police and the family of those effected to try and capture the murderer include a reward of £10,000 for anyone who knows any information, a plea from Samantha’s father who quoted: “Raoul, son, please this has to stop. We don’t want anyone else hurt, nee more son.” Samantha’s sister has also publically spoken saying that: “He’s a coward and he hasn’t got the bottle to shoot himself. He’d wants a standoff with the police, so they’ll either have to shoot him in the knees or kill him. He wants to be known as a guy who went to prison because he shot a load of coppers or who died trying.”

This particular story has caused a massive debate within society. I suppose the question everyone is asking is: When will he be caught? With maximum efforts by the police and little progress so far, you have to ask yourself… will he ever be caught?

UK News