Littleborough man killed in Jordan

Reporter: Jan Harwood
Date online: 05/09/2006

A man from Rochdale has been named as the tourist who was shot dead by a gunman in Jordan on Monday 4 September. Christopher Stokes, from Littleborough was killed when a gunman opened fire near the Roman amphitheatre, in Jordan’s capital Amman.

The chartered accountant, aged 30, was one of six tourists who were shot at; two British women were also injured in the incident.

His parents, Rod and Norma, have today been mourning the loss of their son, whilst their other son, Philip, currently serving in Iraq, is to return home having heard of his brother’s death.

Early reports state that the attacker shouted the words "God is great" in Arabic, before firing at least 12 shots at the tourists. Eyewitnesses said he then ran into the crowds but was soon caught and arrested. The man arrested in connection with the shooting is Nabil Ahmad Issa Jaaoura, a Jordan national of Palestinian origin.