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A man blasted a 'mother and daughter' to death before turning the gun on himself in a suspected murder suicide outside a swimming pool in Spalding.

The gunman and two women were found with gunshot wounds following the "family incident" outside Castle Sports Complex swimming pool.

Locals reported that a man had killed two female relatives, who are believed to be a mother and daughter aged 20 and 40, before killing himself.

One local, who did not want to be identified, said: "From what I understand a man shot himself and his family. We have heard it's a self-contained incident."

Armed police descended on a detached property in nearby Moulton, around three miles from the scene, less than an hour after the shooting.

(Image: SWNS) (Image: Sky News) (Image: SWNS) (Image: SWNS)

A man who lives on the road, who asked not to be named, saw a number of police vehicles arrive at a house shortly before 10am this morning.

He said: "There are currently two police cars, a police van and an undercover van at the house.

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"They (police) have been there all morning, they were all piling in.

"There has been a series of burglaries in the area. We thought it was something to do with that."

(Image: SWNS)

(Image: SWNS) (Image: PA)

Swimmers reportedly heard a gun being fired and witnesses claimed the assistant manager of the Castle Sports Complex swimming pool ran out to try to stop two of the victims bleeding to death.

One school was on lockdown and children were being kept inside up to three hours after the incident, but all schools in the area are now operating as usual.

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(Image: SWNS) (Image: SWNS)

Spalding Grammar School confirmed earlier that "nobody is allowed out", yet St John the Baptist Primary School said it was operating as normal.

St Norberts Catholic Primary School on Pennygate/Tollgate and Garth School also confirmed they were not on lockdown.

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Gary Porter, leader of South Holland District Council, described the shocking events as a "tragic family incident."

He said: “I feel sorry for the people’s families who are involved and be grateful it’s not yours.

“Staff at the swimming pool have been interviewed. It is a tragic event.”

Chloe McConnell who works at Shear Shak on Pinchbeck Roadtold the Lincolnshire Echo earlier: “We have locked our doors. I’m scared, I actually want to cry– we do not know what has happened."

(Image: SWNS)

(Image: SWNS) (Image: SWNS)

An air ambulance landed at the scene with a large number of police and ambulances also present.

A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police said: "We can confirm that there has been a firearms incident on Pinchbeck Road in Spalding in the vicinity of the Castle Swimming Pool, in which three people have been fatally wounded, including the suspected offender.

"There is an ongoing police investigation and at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

(Image: Roland Leon / Daily Mirror) (Image: Sky News) (Image: Google)

"There is no indication that this is a terrorist related incident and no shots have been fired by police.

"We would urge members of the public to stay away from the area at the present time.

"Any witnesses to the incident, who haven’t already spoken with officers at the scene, are asked to call 101, quoting incident number 92 of 19 July."

(Image: PA)

(Image: Google)

Police are due to hold a press conference at 4pm today.

Amanda Pearson, who works at Welland Workspace Limited in Pinchbeck Road, told the Lincolnshire Echo: “Everybody is naturally concerned and do not know what to do.

“We’ve heard the swimming pool area is closed off.

“None of us really know anything other than what we’ve read on twitter and online.”

People reacted in shock when they heard the news about the shooting, with many taking to Twitter to share their disbelief.

(Image: @HeartCambsNews/twitter)

Amy Jayne wrote: "3 people have been shot in Spalding, I actually feel sick"

and Charlotte James wrote: "Horrified to hear that 3 people have been shot and killed in my home town, Spalding. My heart goes out to their families & loved ones.

Castle Sports Complex swimming pool released a statement on its Facebook page regarding the incident.

It read: "Castle Swimming Pool is currently closed (Tuesday 19th July) due to an incident in the local area.

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"The Sports Centre remains open as usual and we will update the website with any developments.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

A spokesman from East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 9.04am this morning reporting gun shots on Pinchbeck Lane, Spalding.

"Our ambulance crews and Paramedic Officer were sent to the emergency and told to approach with caution.

(Image: Sky News)

"Upon arriving at scene our paramedics treated three patients who had gunshot wounds.

"Despite the best efforts of everyone at the scene the patients were pronounced dead.

“This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the friends and families of those involved.”

(Image: SWNS)

South Holland District Council also released a statement that read: "We are currently supporting police following an incident this morning near the swimming pool on Pinchbeck Road, Spalding.

"The Castle Sports Centre will be closed until further notice."

Tributes have begun pouring in for the victims of the attack.

Sam Howard wrote: "My heart goes out to the victims family after this mornings incident in my town."

And phoebs wrote: "Spalding isn't that far away from me. Thoughts are with the victims, this is so sad.

"I can't believe 3 people were shot, what is happening?"