Police Name Hairdresser Shooting Suspect

A man found dead in woodland after three women were injured in a shooting at a South Wales hairdresser's has been named as Darren Williams.

Officers said they were not treating the 45-year-old from Cwmbran's death as suspicious or looking for anyone in connection with it.

A police search was launched for Mr Williams after his ex-partner, who worked at the Carol-Ann salon in Malpas Road, Newport, was shot in the leg on Friday afternoon.

Two other female clients suffered neck and arm injuries but they were not serious and both have been released from hospital.

Mr Williams' ex-partner remains in a stable condition at the Royal Gwent Hospital.

Mr Williams was found dead on Friday night in Brynglas woods - just a mile from where the attack took place.

His grey Mini Cooper car was also located in the Newport area.

A firearm was found inside the hairdresser's.

Kataru Reddy, who works at a petrol station opposite the salon, said: "At around 2.30pm a man went into the shop.

"Soon after that I heard two gunshots and, after that, I heard shouting."

Mr Reddy said it took 10 minutes for the police to arrive in two vans and two cars.

He added there were five police marksmen in the team.

Local councillor Paul Cockeram said: "The shop is obliterated, apparently. It's amazing nobody died.

"It's quite sad something like that has happened in my area because it's an area that has no problems at all, but obviously these domestic incidents can happen anywhere."

Superintendent Dave Johnson, local commander for Newport, said: "We have a greatly increased police presence in Newport at the moment.

"We have family liaison officers working with relatives involved in the shooting at Carol-Ann's hair salon yesterday and neighbourhood officers working with the community in that area, where I know people have been shocked and upset.

"We understand those feelings and share them. Please be assured that we are devoting substantial resources to both the investigation and to working with the community here."