Kentish Express Ashford & District
Village in lockdown after men badly hurt in double shooting
A double shooting in a quiet country location saw scores of police, some of them armed, swoop on the area and cordon off roads as they hunted for the gunman.
Two men were airlifted to hospital after being shot in High Halden at about 11am last Thursday.
A 19-year-old man and a 23-yearold man were both seriously injured during the incident.
One of the men suffered injuries to his head, chest and arm. Both of the injured men were discharged from hospital the next day.
Armed officers swooped in to Plurenden Road and Marten Park at High Halden near Ash- ford at 11am and officers set up a cordon around the area with roadblocks from the A28.
Roads around the area were blocked off until late afternoon, with some residents unable to drive back to their homes.
Police arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder shortly before 5pm and a second man aged 29 was arrested in connection with the incident at about 9pm the same day.
The two men have been bailed until January 4, pending further inquiries.
Shortly after t he drama unfolded, villagers reported hear- ing shots, the area was sealed off and residents were told to stay indoors.
The operation lasted eight hours and police continued their searches at a property in Plurenden Road near High Halden the next day.
Kent Fire and Rescue Serv- ice launched a drone aircraft to search an area near Bethersden in support of the police investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information is asked to call Det Con Tristan Kluibenschadl or Det Sgt Adam Marshall on 01622 654864.