Second thoughts of the twins being shot first: Shooting order resolved ?

[Adam]

After consideration, other posters and Julie may have been correct  that Bamber shot  the twins first.

This would have just been one shot each into each twin. Shooting them 8 times first then going downstairs to reload would have been madness.

It is doubtful that June would have been able to walk across the bedroom and back again if she received all 7 shots straight away. The 2002 appeal said two of the head shots would have caused death very quickly. It is likely she received five intial shots.

If Bamber believed June was worthy of 7 shots, then Neville was worthy of at least as many. However the rifle only held a maximum of 11 bullets.

I suspect Bamber correctly believed 4/5 accurate head shots each were sufficient for Neville and June. Which is why he could afford two early shots into the twins.

It is quite possible that -

Bamber shot each twin once. This would be quick and would prevent any possible noise from them. It would also be unlikely these two shots would wake anyone else inside WHF (2 shots).

Bamber then walked straight across the landing and fired five shots into June. And four shots into Neville (9 shots).

Rifle now empty.


After the kitchen fight, the rifle was fully reloaded and fired into Nevile (4 shots). 

Bamber returned upstairs and fired more shots into the twins to make it seem like an 'out of control' killing (6 shots).

There was now one bullet left for Sheila who was the only person still alive. Either still asleep or putting up  no resistance if awake. Bamber attempted to kill her with the one remaining bullet (1 shot).

Rifle now empty. 


Before leaving WHF, Bamber realised Sheila may not be dead. And already knew June had moved. He couldn't burn everyone's back like he had done with Neville. So loaded three more bullets into the rifle

A fatal shot fired into Sheila (1 shot)
 
Fatal shots fired into June (2 shots).

Rifle now empty and on top of Sheila.

[sami]

i still think the twins were last.as i said before the twins were no threat.imo.

[Adam]

i still think the twins were last.as i said before the twins were no threat.imo.

As David said, Bamber told Julie the twins were shot first.

Bamber may have been lying to her, but I can't see why he would. No experts have ever been able for certain to say who was shot first.

If the twins were shot first, it is still easy to create a plausible scenario.

[Adam]

It's still possible Bamber entered the main bedroom first and unloaded all 11 bullets into June and Neville.

More information is needed on whether June could have walked across the bedroom and back if recieving 7 shots in succession.

But why use 7 of 11 bullets on June when Neville was the bigger threat ?

[sami]

As David said, Bamber told Julie the twins were shot first.

Bamber may have been lying to her, but I can't see why he would. No experts have ever been able for certain to say who was shot first.

If the twins were shot first, it is still easy to create a plausible scenario.

yes could be adam,but in my mind the major threats have to be contained first.they cant get out of whf or use the phone to summon help.but the 3 adults could make a break for it.i dont believe jb would have told anyone the full story ,he's far too cunning for that .

[sami]

It's still possible Bamber entered the main bedroom first and unloaded all 11 bullets into June and Neville.

More information is needed on whether June could have walked across the bedroom and back if recieving 7 shots in succession.

But why use 7 of 11 bullets on June when Neville was the bigger threat ?

maybe neville was not in range.it is a bit strange that being a crack shot he didnt follow the head shot which left blood on the pillow with another few shots in the head maybe neville appeared and june was moving

[lookout]

What an insensitive heading !

[Adam]

Bamber firing 7 shots into June before moving onto Neville is unlikely.

He would firstly only have 4 bullets left for Neville, and firing 7 shots into June gives Neville more chance to wake.


I suspect even Bamber would have found it hard to shoot the twins if they were awake. Shooting them in the dark while they were asleep would have been easier for him. And keeps them quiet for the rest of the massacre. 

[sami]

Bamber firing 7 shots into June before moving onto Neville is unlikely.

He would firstly only have 4 bullets left for Neville, and firing 7 shots into June gives Neville more chance to wake.


I suspect even Bamber would have found it hard to shoot the twins if they were awake. Shooting them in the dark while they were asleep would have been easier for him. And keeps them quiet.

i disagree adam.he would not have any diffuculty killing the twins while they were awake .most important for him was that his plan should succeed.how there were killed would not matter ,awake or asleep

[Adam]

There are lots of scenarios on how Bamber could have committed the massacre. Either by shooting the twins first,  last or halfway through. 

Buddy and David said the twins were shot first. And so did Julie. My scenario fits this possibility like a glove.

[Steve_uk]

Bamber might have wanted to test the weapon first, so I agree one shot each to Nicholas and Daniel. This is the man we are dealing with, then a moue in the back of a Police car after a foreign trip. Don't forget Sheila was shot twice, so one more bullet than anticipated.

[Adam]

If Neville and June's bedroom door was shut. And Bamber closed the twins bedroom door, there is no chance anyone would hear two shots into the twins.  They were all asleep.

The twins had now been negated, everyone was still asleep and Bamber still had 9 bullets left.

Which room would Bamber have arrived at first after getting to the top of the stairs ?

[Adam]

I always had a fixed view that Bamber entered the main bedroom first. But thanks to Buddy and David have reconsidered.

I don't believe Bamber would have used 7 of 11 bullets on June straight away. Or that June could have moved so much after 7 consecutive bullets.

But if Bamber entered the main bedroom first and fully loaded, then only fired 4 or 5 bullets into June, why didn't he fire the remaining 6 or 7 bullets into Neville upstairs ?

The answer is that he entered the main bedroom with just 9 bullets.

[Steve_uk]

I always had a fixed view that Bamber entered the main bedroom first. But thanks to Buddy and David have reconsidered.

I don't believe Bamber would have used 7 of 11 bullets on June straight away. Or that June could have moved so much after 7 consecutive bullets.

But if Bamber entered the main bedroom first and fully loaded, then only fired 4 or 5 bullets into June, why didn't he fire the remaining 6 or 7 bullets into Neville upstairs ?

The answer is that he entered the main bedroom with just 9 bullets.

It had to be thought Nevill had made a phone call so Bamber either had the task of getting him into the kitchen or replacing the bedroom phone once they were all dead.

[Adam]

It had to be thought Nevill had made a phone call so Bamber either had the task of getting him into the kitchen or replacing the bedroom phone once they were all dead.

I don't believe Bamber would have let Neville get to the kitchen. He shot him 4 times.  It's too risky and Bamber may have got a visible injury in any scuffle. The big kitchen fight has caused him loads of problems over the last 30 years.

Bamber could easily stage the bedroom and it's phone to make it look like Neville had called from upstairs.