From: Rusty�Bullethole, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Publication : EVENING CHRONICLE 21.9.00
Section : Local News Edition : 1 Page : 1
Headline : Fresh clue in killing probe
ByLine :
Text :
A GUNMAN who executed a father-of-two in an
horrific street shooting prepared his strike the night
before.
Detectives hunting the cold-blooded killer of
Freddie Knights, 38, today revealed they are probing an
earlier sighting of a man prowling in a garden at the
address where Mr Knights was shot dead on Wednesday night.
The mystery man was caught in the beam of the
security lights which came on as he moved around the
house in Lutterworth Road on the Longbenton estate,
North Tyneside,
He fled but police said neighbours may have seen
the man's face and appealed to anyone who could help
the murder inquiry to contact them.
Det Chief Insp Alan Stewart said: "We are now
investigating a suspicious incident between 9pm and
10.15pm on Tuesday night, the night before Mr Knights
was murdered, at the same location, which is a
relative's home.
"It may well be there is a connection between
the man picked out under the security lights and the
murder.
"I would ask anyone who saw anything suspicious
on the Tuesday night and also on the night Mr Knights
was shot at about 8.25pm to contact the incident room
at Clifford Street police station on (0191) 214 6555
ex 62829."
Police said the gunman who blasted Mr Knights at
close range had been laying in wait for him.
It is believed he was hit twice, including a shot
to the head.
Residents who witnessed the shooting and saw a man
in dark clothing and a balaclava running away thought
the weapon was a sawn-off shotgun.
The motives for the murder are still being
assessed but police are looking at the unemployed dad's
associates and possible past feuds.
They believe the murder showed a degree of
pre-planning in which the victim's movements were
watched.
Mr Knights had been visiting a relative to pick
up birthday presents for his 14-year-old son when he
was confronted by the gunman.
His distraught wife, Grace, who was with him that
night, narrowly escaped injury in the attack.
Mr Knights lived with his family in Backworth,
near Whitley Bay.
They were too distraught to talk today and they
were being comforted by neighbours and friends.
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