Slain soldier was loving family man

Drummer Lee Rigby (25), from Langley in Middleton

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Detectives are to question two more people arrested over the murder of Middleton soldier Lee Rigby.
A man and a woman, both 29, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder during the investigation into the killing of the 25–year–old soldier, hacked to death outside his barracks in Woolwich, south–east London.

Detectives began interviewing them at a south London police station.

Six residential addresses were later searched as part of the investigation: three in south London, one in east London, one in north London and one in Saxilby, Lincolnshire, the former home of Adebolajo.

Four people were led away from a flat in Eastney Street, east London at 6am, including children, aged three and seven.

The two suspects in the death remain in hospital with non–life threatening injuries after being shot by police after the attack.

Last night shocking footage emerged of the shooting of suspects Michael Adebolajo (28), originally from Romford, Essex, and Michael Oluwatobi Adebowale, of Greenwich, south–east London, in the aftermath of the killing

A clip on the Daily Mirror’s website shows one of the men charge at police and drop one of his knives before being hit.

His accomplice is seen raising his arm and aiming a handgun at officers before he too is shot.

The latest arrests were made as the victim’s family issued a statement in tribute to Drummer Rigby, described by his family as “a loving son, husband, father, brother and uncle”.

US president Barack Obama added his voice to those condemning the murder.

He said: “I condemn in the strongest terms the appalling attack against a British service member. There can be absolutely no justification for such acts, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim, the police and security services responding to this horrific act and the communities they serve, and the British people.”

Drummer Rigby, from Crumpsall, Manchester, had a two–year–old son.

He was from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, and was attached to the Regimental Recruiting Team in London.

A steady stream of relatives and friends visited the family home in Middleton throughout the day to support the family. Police and PCSOs stood guard outside.

Drummer Rigby, who joined the Army in 2006 and was a lifelong Manchester United fan, had served in Helmand province, Afghanistan, where he was a member of the Fire Support Group in Patrol Base Woqab.

He had also stood outside the Royal Palaces as part of his battalion’s public duties commitment.

The Rt Rev Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton, said: “The nation has been shocked by Lee’s death. But the greatest burden is carried by those he knew and loved. Our prayers and sympathies are with his family, friends and those he served with.”