GRAPHIC details have emerged of how a petty family argument escalated to horror within a matter of seconds.
Taxi driver Michael Atherton, who had been planning to go shooting with a friend the next day, had given no warning before his bloody rampage.
The 42-year-old fired the gun at his partner Susan Mc- Goldrick, 47, her sister Alison Turnbull, 44, and her niece Tanya Turnbull.
Ms McGoldrick’s daughter Laura, who suffered minor shotgun injuries, escaped through a first-floor window with her boyfriend, who has not been named.
And her younger brother, Michael Jnr, who was also upstairs when the incident happened, ran out of the front door as the shots were fired.
Speaking at a press conference at Durham Police headquarters at Aykley Head in Durham City, Detective Superintendent Paul Goundry said Atherton, had been out drinking at the Victory Club in Horden, near Peterlee, on New Year’s Night. Ms Mc- Goldrick had been out drinking with a separate party elsewhere.
Atherton returned to the home they shared in Greenside Avenue, Horden, first – followed by Ms McGoldrick and three other people, including Ms Turnbull and her daughter.
Det Supt Goundry said: “There was a a minor verbal dispute in which Michael left the house by the back door.
“There were no threats made with regard to him using the weapons or to take anyone’s life.
“They thought he had left the house to go to his car. But, he reappeared in the rear kitchen door where he shot Susan (who was in the kitchen).”
Atherton went on to shoot Ms Turnbull and her daughter, who were in the living room area. Laura took the spray of the gun as he shot one of the victims.
She fled in horror up the stairs and joined her boyfriend in the bedroom. The two then escaped by jumping out of the window.
Atherton’s body was found by the door leading from the kitchen to the living, with a shotgun at his side.
The emergency services were alerted and a firearms unit and paramedics arrived on the scene within 20 minutes to be met a “scene of devastation”.
Det Supt Goundry said: “I have met Laura and Michael and have had chance to speak to them in detail “They are incredibly brave young people. No one can understand exactly what they have been through, but they have the love of the family around them to help them get through this terrible time. The whole family have pulled together.”
He said Atherton’s firearms – three shotguns and three rifles – were kept in a secure firearms’ cabinet in a bedroom.
Atherton was an avid shooter and a member of a local shooting club.
Det Supt Goundry said: “His intention had been to go shooting with a friend the following day. From my perspective, this reinforces the fact that this was spontaneous and was not a pre-planned act.”
He added: “I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the community of Horden and the surrounding villages.
“They have been invaluable in assisting my investigation.
In particular I would like to thank the residents of Greenside Avenue for their patience.”
Det Supt Goundry said at the height of inquiries at the scene up to 50 officers had been involved, including the force’s entire homicide team.
The police cordon was lifted last night.
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