Family devastated after 'lovely man' shot dead

The family of a 24-year-old father shot dead in a back garden said yesterday that they were "devastated" by his murder.

Mark Shaw died from a single gunshot wound to the head in what police are treating as a targeted attack, saying they believe he had a "connection" with his killer.

Police and paramedics found him fatally wounded shortly before 1am on Saturday at the back of a terrace house in the Top Valley area of Nottingham. Paramedics tried to revive him there in Heatherington Gardens but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

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A Nottingham Forest fan and footballer, Mr Shaw, of Winterton Rise, Bestwood, Nottingham was the "loving" father of a two-year-old son, his family said yesterday.

In a statement released by police, his family added: "He was popular and kind and had a great sense of humour. We are all devastated by what has happened and will miss him dearly."

A police cordon remained around the property yesterday as forensics officers continued to search for clues.

Detectives spent the day speaking to residents in Top Valley and there were also a number of police patrols in the area.

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Nottinghamshire Police said it was "pursuing a number of lines of inquiry" from a dedicated incident room at Radford Road police station.

Chief Insp Matt McFarlane said: "From talking to members of the community, we know this incident has caused shock and concern, however, we do not believe there is a wider risk to members of the public.

"We do not believe this is a random attack and know that the key to finding who is responsible lies within the community."

Neighbours who knew Mr Shaw said he was a "polite and lovely" man.

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As a Bestwood resident, Mr Shaw was from the same part of Nottingham as gangland boss Colin Gunn but a police spokesman said could not comment on whether the shooting was linked to the remnants of Colin Gunn's gang.

Gunn, who ran what was described as an organised crime cartel, was jailed in 2006 for 35 years for conspiracy to murder.