Warwickshire Police: M40 murder could be contract killing

Police have revealed more details of the murder on Sunday of biker Gerry Tobin, who was shot while riding back from the Bulldog Bash on the M40, and have not ruled out the possibility it was a contract killing. 

During a press conference today, Warwickshire Police said the suspect car, a green Rover 620, was waiting in a layby just before junction 15 on the A46, heading northbound.

When three bikes passed the car – Gerry Tobin and two companions – the car pulled out and followed them onto the M40.

The car is said to have ignored the first two bikes before puling alongside Tobin’s Harley-Davidson FXSTB Night Train, at which point he was shot just below the bottom edge of his helmet when a handgun was fired from the passenger window of the car.

Police say it was a targeted hit, and it’s likely Tobin was the intended victim.

Police confirmed the victim’s full name was Gerard Michael Tobin, a 35-year-old mechanic who worked for Warr’s Harley-Davidson.

Gerard Tobin was a Canadian national, but had worked in the UK for the last 10 years. Police say he was of good character.

Superintendent Ken Lawrence, heading the investigation, said: “Travelling at speed on the motorway, you’d have to either be an extremely good shot or it would be a matter of chance.

“I’m suggesting that there’s perhaps an element of chance on which part of Mr Tobin’s body was struck.”

Asked if it could have been a contract killing, he said: “Every possibility is being considered.

“From witnesses we’ve spoken to it seems likely that the intended victim was always Gerard Tobin.”

It appears the killing had nothing to do with the Bulldog Bash itself. Superintendent Lawrence said: “I’m not aware that any particular incident occurred there which may have given rise to these consequences.”

Keep an eye on www.motorcyclenews.com for further updates.