Farmer arrested on suspicion of murder after 'shooting suspected burglar dead' at farm

A farmer has been arrested on suspicion of murder after ‘shooting a suspected burglar dead’.

The farmer is being questioned by detectives over the shooting of 19-year-old Marcus Smith in a remote Derbyshire farmhouse.

Derbyshire Police said they were first called to the farmhouse near Eccles Road at 3.30pm on Tuesday (30 April) with reports of a burglary.

They were then called to the same property at 1.20am on Wednesday to another report of a burglary.

The force has added that at this stage they ‘are keeping an open mind as to whether the two incidents are linked’.

When officers arrived in the early hours of Wednesday morning, they found a teenager with fatal gunshot wounds.

Smith died as a result. (Facebook)

A second man, also in his teens, was found with a gunshot wound nearby. He was taken to hospital before being arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary.

A third man, in his 20s, was arrested for aggravated burglary around two miles away by armed cops who swooped on a car on the A6 in nearby Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Dramatic footage being shared on social media appeared to show armed officers pulling over a white BMW car near a set of traffic lights.

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Smith’s mum, Kerry, uploaded a photo of her son, confirming his death.

Users responded on social media, writing: “I’m truly heartbroken. Sending love to you all."

Another put: "We are so shocked and so heartbroken; nothing can express how deeply sorry we are."

A third added: "Absolutely devastated for you all. Beyond heart-breaking. He was the loveliest boy."

Two break-ins were reported at the farmhouse. (SWNS)

Police confirmed a third man, in his 50s, had been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

A cordon now remains in place at two houses in Eccles Road and the force say they will remain for some time while investigations continue.

Chief Superintendent Dave Kirby, of Derbyshire Police, said: “I’d like to thank the local community for all their support during this investigation so far.

“We appreciate the impact that an incident like this can have on communities so we are grateful to all those who have helped during these early stages.

“Officers will remain at the scene today and for some time to come as the investigations continue.

“If anyone does have any information, we’d ask them to please contact us."