The Friday night September 25th Emmerdale episodes didn't show any more factual details than what the spoilers said would happen but they did show the facial expressions and body language of the actors, most/all of whom were aware of the overall storyline it seems, as suggested by the earlier Danny Miller (Aaron) interview with Good Morning Britain at 07:50.
What are really missing for TV viewers right now are details of how Aaron obtains a gun to dispose of by Wednesday September 30th and whether any details are available about the fate of missing Chrissie's bracelet.
Here is a list of who is mainly involved in this storyline and why they are suspects right now for Robert being shot.
Lachlan:
Has motive for killing Robert, believing Robert killed Katie, and knows that he, Lawrence and Chrissie want Robert out of their lives.
Already made a recce/partial attempt to shoot Robert in the village previously. Also known to have practised posing with the gun at Home Farm. Visited Belle and Kirin during the afternoon, his rucksack made a heavy thud as he put it on the table there. Seen walking from the village after the shooting, took object from left trouser pocket and threw it quickly into the meadow before Lawrence's car pulls up. Was shifty and reluctant to be at the hospital with police there. Also looked guilty at Home Farm later when Lawrence says he found the safe open and the gun missing.
Problems = how could he get a gun? (Home Farm safe left open by Chrissie/Robert? Knew combination anyway?) What item did he throw into the meadow after the shooting (the gun? the bracelet? If it was the gun, had he used it?) Would he strangely just steal Chrissie's bracelet (presumably valuable) from the safe for Belle and how would he get away with giving Belle this? Is Lachlan another teen gone beyond troubled?
Appeared first in Emmerdale on 10th November 2014, so due for contract expiry and an 'easy pick' for an Emmerdale character due to leave the show.
Ross:
Has no obvious motive for killing Robert, other than for money as a possible hired gunman.
Was walking with Moses in buggy during afternoon. Left Moses with Belle and Kirin, later whereabouts unknown. Was going to meet Pete at Barton's Farm during evening for some sort of 'show-down' (killing Pete by shooting him?) but didn't show. After Robert's shooting happened, Ross showed up dressed in all-black at Debbie's house emotional and saying "something come up" and that he was leaving the village, maybe for good but he would send money back for Moses.
Problems = No alibi at time of shooting. Whereabouts unknown before shooting. He knew his gun had been placed in the Home Farm safe though by overhearing this at the pub. Did he maybe show up at Home Farm during the afternoon/evening to ask Lawrence for it and Lawrence agreed to give him it if he shot Robert for money/Chrissie's bracelet as reward? He did get Robert to open the safe for him in Nov 2014 during the raid, so he might have known the combination from that time if it hadn't been changed afterwards. Maybe Chrissie gave Ross the gun and money during the afternoon for him to shoot Robert later? Maybe Cain asked Ross to shoot Robert? Maybe Ross isn't the shooter but realises that Robert might have been shot with his ex-gun by someone else and decides to run away from Emmerdale in case he is linked to Robert's shooting?
Andy:
Has motive for killing Robert, knowing Robert killed Katie by pushing her at Wylie's Farm.
Drove off angry out of village in Land Rover during afternoon and not seen since. Phoned Diane immediately before shooting saying he was sorry and wouldn't say where he was (Nearby? Cemetary? Church? Quarry?).
Problems = No apparent alibi. How could he get a gun? (Given to him by Lawrence or Chrissie? Break-in at Home Farm? Own gun?) Was maybe unlikely to be able to talk on mobile phone if hiding in the bushes behind the pub waiting for Robert, so maybe not around the scene of the shooting?
Been in Emmerdale for about 19 years. Has recently hinted about doing something else one day during actor interview. If Andy shot Robert and Robert knows it's him, then Andy is not likely to go to the police about Katie being pushed by Robert at Wylie's Farm.
Aaron:
Has motive for killing Robert as accessory to Katie's death, relationship problems, emotional hurt from previous argument previous day.
Showed up first on the shooting scene, about 20 seconds after the shot happened. Seemed surprised/worried Chas was there. Shifty throughout post-shooting scene (may have been worried a random shooter was still around Emmerdale or that Chas would be 1st suspect for a murder enquiry though.) Didn't go to hospital to check on Robert's state. Later was anxious to keep police from questioning Chas that night. Known to be "guilty" and to have a gun to dispose of by Wed Sept 30th.
Problems = No apparent alibi at time of shooting. Left Chas in pub saying he was going to "find him" (Andy? Robert?) How could he get a gun? (From Lawrence or Chrissie? Break-in at Home Farm? Own gun (from woodland lodge?). Where did the gun he wanted to dispose of on Wed Sept 30th come from (found in bushes by Aaron later after being dropped/thrown there by shooter?)? Did Aaron disturb the shooter and find the gun before running out to Chas? Is Aaron "guilty" just because he misses Robert and wanted him dead, or is he guilty becuse he is disposing of evidence on the gun (fingerprints/DNA)? Did Robert and Aaron arrange the shooting by Aaron so as to make Andy an attempted murder suspect and the shooting went too far and serious? Do Aaron's feelings change for Robert after a week or more without him being around? Would Aaron shoot at Robert with Chas so close to Robert? (Chas had turned away and began moving away from Robert when the shot happened.) Plus, Aaron wouldn't place his mother as murder suspect in a gun shooting scene, would he?
Lawrence:
Has motive for killing Robert due to many personal and business issues.
Was with Robert at his lodgings immediately before the shooting (wedding photo of Chrissie and Robert intact on sideboard) and told by Robert about him being set up with Connor and how Robert will cause further problems to get the business and money from Lawrence. Left alone in Robert's room when Robert leaves. (Wedding photo later found smashed by Vic/Diane before Andy phones before shooting. So photo smashed by Lawrence or Andy?) Next seen near the scene after the shooting when he tried to phone Chrissie but had to leave a voice message. Picks up Lachlan walking home in lane, then goes with him to the hospital where he tells the police that missing son-in-law Andy has anger issues. Seen later at Home Farm near open safe but gun missing.
Problems = No alibi at time of shooting (inside pub bar/Robert's room?). Deliberately seems to set up Andy (smashed wedding photo, police given info at hospital).
Cain:
Has motive for killing Robert due to being asked to do this earlier by Chas and possibility of Aaron being an accessory to Katie's death.
Whereabouts during evening not known, but was not at Barton's Farm when Moira and Pete showed there expecting to find Ross waiting.
Problems = No alibi. How could he get a gun? (From Lawrence or Chrissie? Break-in at Home Farm? Own gun?).
Chrissie:
Has motive for killing Robert for lying/cheating on her and family, also Katie's death and other nasty Robert stuff.
Had gun out of safe during afternoon when Chas was there. Later seen closing safe with her handbag next to it, then goes out telling Lachlan that she won't feel bad about things again by tomorrow morning. Didn't answer phone when called by Lawrence after the shooting so he left voice message. Showed up later at hospital.
Problems = Rakesh doesn't later suggest she was with him at the time of the shooting. Claims to have alibi during evening with Eric on Wed Sept 28th, he denies this later to police, but Eric's denial seems to be out of spite over Chrissie's part starting the scrapyard fire which caused the helicopter to crash into the village hall and for damage to the mirror maze to kill Val. Did Chrissie give Ross the gun and money during the afternoon to shoot Robert later that evening, then was with Eric when the shooting happened?
Unknown assassin:
Connor's revenge on Robert using him to set-up Lawrence?
Chas:
Has motive to protect Aaron from being accomplice to Katie's death and to keep Aaron away from Robert in general.
Had previously threatened Robert that day more than once. Seems to have set-up the meeting herself between her and Robert (he received a text from someone in his room when Lawrence was there). Was apparently alone with Robert when he was shot, but was it her armed accomplice in the bushes waiting for Robert to come out to meet Chas? (Also, but unlikely, did Chas shoot Robert herself, then throw the gun into the bushes? Some while back, Robert previously set-up a hitman to shoot Chas but it didn't happen.
Problems = How did her accomplice/she get a gun (Chas took it from Home Farm when Chrissie wasn't looking?). No obvious gun on Chas when Robert was shot (gun thrown into bushes?).
Robert:
Motive to set-up own shooting so as to incriminate Andy or Lawrence.
Runs off during afternoon, apparently to look for Andy at the quarry, but did he go to Home Farm instead? During evening, came home and told someone (Vic? Diane?) on mobile phone that there was "no sign" of Andy. Also received text during evening whilst in his lodgings with Lawrence, then left saying he had to go to a meeting. Met Chas (at the back of the pub?), but was this by chance or did she set him up to meet her there? Was shot during very revealing conversation with Chas. Turned to right 5 times (towards hidden shooter) during conversation, finally turning right at the end of the conversation but looking down then. (Had Robert seen the shooter? Seemed not bothered. Did he recognise the shooter?)
Problems = Could have got gun from Home Farm safe earlier to give to accomplice to use later. Maybe the supposed set-up hit went wrong and too far and nearly killed him. Did Robert give the gun from the Home Farm safe to Aaron as some sort of twisted Robert plot to set up Andy/Lawrence/Chrissie somehow for attempted murder but maybe things went too far and Robert was almost killed off by his accomplice? Whatever happens, this Robert near-death storyline seems likely to restart the Robron affair, I reckon.
Paddy:
Has motive for killing Robert for being threatened (also Leo) by him, also protective attitude towards Aaron and Chas.
Was at singles bar (in Hotten/Robblesfield?) with Marlon, but left at the same time as Tess. Seen 2 minutes walk from home in Emmerdale village as Marlon stopped by in a taxi and police car drove past towards Emmerdale. Said he'd had to walk from town as had no money for taxi. Had missing eye glasses. Refused lift by Marlon.
Problems = Suspected romp with Tess somewhere? Refused lift with Marlon so as to keep Marlon from telling Rhona about the evening out and Tess?
Ashley:
No obvious motive for wanting Robert dead.
Arrived in village off bus during afternoon as Andy drove off angry in Land Rover. Received phone call just after from someone (Laurel? Harriet?). Re-appeared in cafe after shooting wearing fancy dress shirt/trousers as US cop.
Problems = No alibi. Possible seizure at home? Or was counselling Andy somewhere (churchyard/church?)? Or seeing Laurel?
