Father of three who killed his wife and daughter in Spalding did not have a shotgun licence, police say

Charlotte Hart and her mother Claire. Pic: Instagram. (Image: Instagram)

Lincolnshire Police said that 57 year old father of three Lance Hart: “Was not a shotgun certificate or firearms licence holder and the provenance of the weapon used is an active line of enquiry.”

They added: “A situation such as this for a small community like Spalding is hard to comprehend.

“We are working alongside colleagues from the East Midlands Major Crime Team in order to provide answers around what has happened.

“We really need your help so I would encourage anyone with information to contact us on 101, quoting incident number 92 of July 19.

Charlotte Hart. Picture: Facebook (Image: Archant)

“Along with South Holland District Council and the British Red Cross we will be providing support to anyone adversely affected by this tragedy.”

Mr Hart was brought up and went to school in March but had moved to Lincolnshire with his wife and children.

He opened fire on wife Claire, 50, and their 19-year-old daughter Charlotte in the Castle Sports Complex swimming pool car park on Tuesday morning (19) before shooting himself.

Reports say the couple had recently separated and Mr Hart was struggling to come to terms with it.

They leave two sons Ryan, 25, and Luke, 26.

People told of how they remembered Mr Hart as a popular, larger than life character, who always raised a laugh.

A friend who knew him from his teenage years and early 20s when he lived in March said he was: “One of the funniest guys you will ever meet.

“It is one of those times you read something then have to stop to take it in, mainly because you would not put him to something like this.

“I liked him a lot. He consistently worked because I think he wanted to retire in his 50’s.”

Another drinking buddy from his years in March, said: “If you were in the pub and Lance walked in you knew you were in for a good laugh, he was a great bloke.”

Another said: “I would just like to remember Lance as the big guy with a huge heart.”

Lance lived in Wimblington and March before moving to the outskirts of Wisbech St Mary and then Moulton near Spalding.

Following the incident workmen and leisure centre staff raced to save Charlotte and her mother by giving them CPR as they lay on the ground at about 9am but they could not be saved.

Mr Hart was already dead when paramedics arrived.

Armed police raided the family’s four bedroom home in nearby Moulton where they had lived for about seven years and where there is a sold sign outside the property.

Charlotte, who friends on social media have described as a kind dog lover who dreamed of owing hundreds of rescue dogs, was studying at the University of Northampton but was home for the summer holidays.

Mum Claire worked at the local Morrisons and has been described by neighbours as a lovely person and always friendly.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Twitter: “Shocking events in Spalding, Lincolnshire. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.”