A DAD and grandfather was brutally killed just hours after gaining possession of his six-year-old son.
Joshua Dunmore, 32, and his father Gary, 57, are believed to have been celebrating together just hours before they were shot dead in their Cambridgeshire residences six miles apart on Wednesday.
Josh, a builder, was targeted at his house in the Cambridgshire hamlet of Bluntisham at 9 p.m.
His father, the child’s grandfather, was murdered at 9.37 p.m. at his house in nearby Sutton, six miles away.
Josh had just gained possession of his son, whom friends said he adored, after concerns that the child’s mother planned to relocate him to the United States with her new partner.
A male, 27, and a lady, 33, were detained at a hotel outside Cambridge in the early hours of Thursday morning.
A third guy, 66, was subsequently apprehended during a sting operation on the M5 near Worcester.
A shotgun and a white Peugeot 208 were found from the vehicle.
Cambridgeshire Police verified the custody dispute is a “active line of investigation.”
According to an acquaintance, Josh’s ex’s new partner is American, and they intended to move the kid to the US if she gained possession.
They added: “That’s why Josh had to push for full custody, to stop her taking him over there. He won the case.”
“Josh won custody of his son. Josh absolutely doted on him. He was his entire world.
“But what should have been the best day of his life ended up being his last, the day he was killed. It’s just horrendous.”
Josh’s friend said: “They were together a good few years but split a while ago. I didn’t know her new boyfriend but believe he used to be in the army.”
“Josh had his own building firm and a lovely house. He was doing really well in life. He had loads of friends and everyone is completely broken.
“He was genuinely the nicest guy you could meet. On nights out he would leave with people to make sure they got home safe.
“You couldn’t meet a better person. No one deserves to die like this, but in Josh’s case it’s especially true.
“It’s such a tragedy. Josh and his son were devoted to each other.
“Josh was incredible with his son. And now he won’t be there for him. And neither will his grandad. There are just no words for how appalling it is.”
Friend to Joshua, Demi-Rae Jenny, wrote on Facebook: “Going to miss you, you were an amazing person and dad and I cannot believe it.
Joshua managed his own company, J Dunmore Building Services, after earlier co-owning a construction company with his father, Gary.
He had attended Cambridge Regional College and was dedicated to his unnamed toddler boy.
Samantha Impey, 51, has been Gary’s friend for nearly a decade.
She was “shocked” by his death and would frequently see him working on his leased property, a semi-detached £200,000 home, or say greeting when she was out walking Ruby, her Springer Spaniel.
Gary, a 51-year-old IT professional, was characterised as “tall with grey hair.”
“To my dear neighbour Gary,” a floral tribute placed outside his house said.
“A man who loved his family dearly, a dear friend to all, so helpful and kind and was always around as a friend and my little odd job man.
“I’m going to miss you.”
A further tribute said: “RIP Gary. Absolutely gutted.”
In an emotional tribute, self-proclaimed best friend to Joshua, Adam Dutch Cross, wrote: “Can’t believe it, rest in peace bro!!
“Another good one taken well too soon. Going to miss you my G- a proper decent bloke and best friends for years.
“Absolute insanity, I’m still in shock- always will be to be fair.”
One of the floral tributes left in Bluntisham said: “Josh, you shined such a bright light over everyone around you.
“It was impossible not to smile when you’re around.
“You’re going to be missed so much.”
