- Guy Hedger, 61, was attacked after intruders raided mansion in St Ives, Dorset
- Gunman, who had at least one accomplice, fled following the break-in yesterday
- Mr Hedger believed to have disturbed burglars and was then shot by raider
- He was taken to hospital but died of his injuries and police are hunting for killer
- Businessman shared house with his husband, Simon Pierre Hedger-Cooper, 48
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Victim: Guy Hedger, 61, was attacked as he lay in bed after disturbing intruders at his luxury property in St Ives, Dorset
A murder manhunt is underway today after a millionaire businessman was shot in his bed by burglars inside his £1million home.
Guy Hedger, 61, was attacked after disturbing intruders at his luxury property in St Ives, Dorset.
The marketing expert, who worked for LV, Direct Line and was also a director of a business school, was taken to hospital but died of his injuries.
The businessman shared the house with his husband, Simon Pierre Hedger-Cooper, 48, who is believed to have witnessed the shooting.
The pair had been in a civil partnership since 2005, first living together in a flat in Brighton before buying the St Ives mansion together five years ago.
Murder squad detectives said that the gunman, who had at least one accomplice, fled following the break-in early yesterday. Both remained on the run last night.
Police say they don't have any reason to believe the intruders were known to the victim.
The alarm was raised soon after 3am yesterday and immediately detectives from the Dorset Police Major Crime Team were drafted in to hunt for the killer.
Police also confirmed that another occupant, thought to be Mr Hedger-Cooper, witnessed the shooting and has been left 'deeply affected'.
The incident happened in Ringwood, on the border of Hampshire and Dorset, in the early hours of this morning
Officers said the homeowner disturbed the burglars who had broken into his upmarket cul-de-sac home on the outskirts of the New Forest at about 3am. They said he was an innocent man who did not know his attackers.
The victim of the murder has been identified by Dorset Police as 61-year-old Guy Hedger - police are now hunting for two attacke rs who broke into his home
Soon afterwards residents heard a police helicopter overhead for more than an hour, but the gunman evaded arrest.
One neighbour told MailOnline that he was woken up by the sound of helicopters circling the area in the early hours of the morning.
He said: 'I don't know exactly where the incident happened, but we heard the helicopter going round at about 4am - it woke us up'.
Last night the street, which boasts five and six-bedroom properties, remained cordoned off.
There was a heavy police presence in surrounding roads as forensic officers combed the area for clues. A Home Office post-mortem examination is also due to take place and the coroner has been informed.
Superintendent Kevin Connolly, from Dorset Police, said he was treating the incident as an � �aggravated burglary' and appealed for anyone with information to contact officers. He said: 'We discovered a male in his 60s had been shot and was taken to hospital but tragically died.
'We have since launched a murder inquiry and are trying to reach anybody with any information to come forward to help us.
'We are treating this as an aggravated burglary which resulted in the shooting of an innocent man and there were at least two intruders. The offenders we believe went in to steal and then subsequently shot an innocent man.'
Dorset Police were seen questioning residents of the upmarket area of Davids Lane in Ringwood
Neighbour Jean Yeates, 83, said: 'It's frightening to think that something like this could happen'
He added: 'There was somebody else present at the time. They have been deeply affected by the circumstances and are being supported by a family liaison officer.' Police are working with firearms specialists to determine exactly what kind of gun was used in the raid.
Mr Connolly said: 'We are treating this as an isolated incident and will do our very best to catch the offenders and bring them to justice. We are conducting reassurance patrols to ensure people feel safe.'
But residents spoke of their shock that a man had been killed in their usually quiet community.
Neighbour Jean Yeates, 83, said: 'It's frightening to think that something like this could happen.
'I've never heard of anything happening here and I've lived here a fair while. I'm shocked.'
Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: 'It's a b it of a shock.'
Another unnamed resident added: 'It is horrible to hear what happened. I'm just relieved it didn't happen to me.'
Mr Hedger's next-of-kin have been informed and have asked for privacy at the 'deeply traumatic time,' a police spokesman said.
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire said police do not believe Mr Hedger was known to the intruders, although all lines of inquiry are being pursued.
She added: 'At this stage we are still trying to establish exactly what happened.'
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 30:53. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org
