A father tragically killed in a ‘drive-by shooting’ behind a pizza takeaway has been identified, as police intensify their search for the suspect, thought to be using a ‘stolen car’.

Dale Stogden, also known as Brett, was shot near a petrol station on Doncaster Road, Wakefield, at 9.43pm on Tuesday, August 12. 

Police believe that the vehicle used was on false plates and had been stolen in a burglary in Castleford on August 3. 

Following the shooting, Mr Stogden, a 50-year-old from Wakefield, was rushed to hospital where he sadly later died from his injuries.

Authorities from West Yorkshire Police have taken into custody three men, aged 19, 20, and 27, suspected of murder. These individuals were apprehended from locations in the Ossett and Lupset areas and are currently being held for questioning.

Now, his heartbroken daughters have paid tribute to their beloved father, pleading with the gunman responsible for his ‘cruel’ death to come forward.

The victim’s family expressed their devastation, describing their father’s sudden loss in ‘such horrific, violent circumstances’ as shocking. They added, ‘We will miss him and our morning breakfast gatherings.’

‘We will miss his big smile. Dad, we hope you are no longer in pain and that you can rest in peace. We will always love and miss you.’

His daughters also implored the person responsible for their father’s murder to contact the police, adding: ‘We would like to ask the person who took our dad’s life so cruelly, please hand yourself in then we can have some closure and lay him to rest.’

The force said that they are continuing to follow ‘multiple’ lines of enquiry, following a ‘strong response’ to the public appeals for information.

On Wednesday evening, a Toyota RAV4 car which police believe was used in the offence was recovered after being found abandoned at an address on Dunbar Street, Wakefield and is now being recovered for police analysis. 

It was described as being distinctive due to having bull lights on the roof above the windshield.

The driver was driving in the direction of Wakefield before turning around near the BP petrol station immediately before the shooting and then driving off in the same direction they came from. 

Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team who is leading the investigation said: ‘We are determined to get answers for Brett’s family and ensure that those involved in this senseless crime are brought to justice.

‘I would like to extend my thanks again to those who have already provided information to assist this investigation. 

‘I would like to reassure you that there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes and all available lines of enquiry are being followed up.’

DCI Entwistle previously said that he understood ‘the shock and concern’ that the incident will have caused for the general publics, ‘particularly given that a firearm has been involved’. 

He added that the force were ‘dedicating significant resources to this investigation and our neighbourhood policing colleagues are supporting this with an increased presence in the area to provide reassurance to the community.’

Any motorists who were in the Doncaster Road area, described as ‘busy on most evenings’, between 9.30pm and 9.45pm on August 3 have been urged to check their dashcam footage. 

Those with relevant information or who witnessed any part of the incident have been asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via Live Chat online or by calling 101 and quoting Operation Ploughland.