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JAMES NASH/FACEBOOK
James Nash was described as a “kind-hearted individual and a proactive parish councillor”
A “kind-hearted” children’s author and parish councillor shot at his home has died.
James Nash, 42, was shot in Upper Enham, near Andover in Hampshire, on Wednesday afternoon.
The suspected attacker, a 34-year-old man, died in a police chase after trying to flee on a motorcycle.
Hampshire Constabulary confirmed Mr Nash died in hospital in the early hours and the investigation is now being treated as a murder.
A 40-year-old woman was also assaulted during the incident and suffered minor injuries.
‘Tragic and profoundly sad’
Tributes have poured in from colleagues of the writer and parish councillor, who represented the village of Enham Alamein.
Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, wrote on Facebook: “This is such devastating news, not just for his family and friends who will obviously miss him terribly, but for the whole community of Enham Alamein where he was a public representative.
“He was such a kind-hearted individual and a proactive parish councillor who cared deeply for his community.”
The suspect – named in reports as Alex Sartain – fled the scene and died in a police chase
He added: “As a talented children’s author and illustrator, I was extremely touched last year when one of the dedications in his latest book was to my newborn daughter, Eleanor-Ivy Mae.
“We will always treasure our copy.”
North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse described the fatal shooting in MacCallum Road as “tragic and profoundly sad news”.
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Mr Nash was shot in MacCallum Road in Upper Enham
“James’s family will be devastated and they are in all our thoughts tonight,” he said in a post on Facebook.
The suspect – named in reports as Alex Sartain – is believed to have initially fled the scene on foot before trying to get away on a motorbike.
He then fatally crashed on an A-road about three miles away from the shooting site after officers gave chase.
Police said they “do not believe there are any outstanding suspects in this investigation” and the force has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
According to his website, Mr Nash was resident artist at The Hawk Conservancy Trust, and co-founder of the Society of Natural History Artists.
