Newport shooting: Darren Williams case referred to IPCC

A 92-year-old widow tried to confront Mr Williams as he entered the salon

The case of a Newport gunman who shot his wife and two others in a hair salon, and was later found dead, has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Gwent Police referred the matter after the body of Darren Williams was found at Brynglas woods on Friday.

The IPCC will examine events leading up to his death and will decide in 24 hours whether to investigate further.

Mr Williams, 45, shot his estranged wife, Rachel Williams, 37, in the leg.

She is being treated at Swansea's Morriston Hospital after being shot with a double-barreled shotgun at Carol-Ann's hair salon in Malpas Road.

Rebounding shots also hit two other customers - one of them a 92-year-old widow who tried to confront Mr Williams.

After a six-hour search, armed police found the gunman's body at nearby Brynglas woods on Friday night.

After his death, it emerged Mr Williams was jailed for four months in 2004 after police discovered what was described as an arsenal of weapons at his home in Newport.

It included a stun gun, a .22 pistol, a machete, a hunting knife, canisters of CS gas and bullets.