Boy aged 14 and man, 49, held as dad is shot dead

Victim blasted in chest after ‘challenge over bullying’

Lee was so kind-hearted ...everybody on this street really loved him NEIGHBOUR ON SHOOTING VICTIM LEE HOLT

A 14-year-old boy was last night being questioned by police over the gunshot murder of a dad aged 32.

Neighbours described hearing a woman screaming “blood, blood” after Lee Holt was apparently blasted in the chest.

Mr Holt, who is believed to have had a daughter, died after being taken to hospital.

It is believed he had been visiting a home to discuss bullying allegations between children at a local school.

Neighbours said a couple and three children live at the modern, semi-detached house.

The father of the arrested boy is understood to run his own tree surgeon business and kept guns at the property, according to neighbours. A 49-year-old man was also placed under arrest on suspicion of murder.

In a poignant Facebook post, Jodie Metcalfe, believed to be a relative of Mr Holt’s girlfriend Kate Metcalfe, said: “Rest easy Lee, a truly brave man to put my nephew and sister’s life before your own and I will be forever grateful for that. Sweet dreams, justice will be served.”

SHOCKED

Andrea Adamson said: “Such a sad sad, story not only is a poor man dead a child has lost her dad and a mother had to see her son’s life ruined…”

Yesterday, police forensic tents covered the front of the house in Oswaldtwistle, Lancs, and the road was blocked by police tape all day. Officers had been called to the scene at 8.25pm on Wednesday. Mr Holt was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Mr Holt moved into a house in the area earlier this year.

A neighbour said: “They are a lovely family. I couldn’t ask for better neighbours. Lee was so kind-hearted and would do anything for anybody. Everybody on this street loved him.” Detective Inspector Pete Danby said: “Firstly, my thoughts are with the man’s family at this incredibly sad and difficult time. We are in the very early stages of our investigation and have a number of officers on with inquiries.

“We think this was an isolated incident and believe there is no wider threat.”