My lucky escape in mystery gun attack on home, by wife, 65
A WOMAN of 65 cheated death when a gunman fired shots through her living room window as she sat watching television.
The bullets went straight through the back of the sofa, missing unsuspecting Janet Tuckett by inches.
Her 68-year-old husband James, who was asleep upstairs, came rushing down to find a bullet hole in the window and his wife shaking with terror – but miraculously unhurt.
Police believe the couple were caught in the middle of a battle between members of rival gangs, one of whom targeted the wrong house.
The shooting was captured on CCTV outside the couple’s home in Southey Green, Sheffield, with footage showing the moment a hooded suspect walks up their drive gripping a handgun.
Shattered
The gunman, who seconds earlier appears to flash a torch as a signal to an accomplice, then calmly raises his weapon towards the window and fires twice.
Mrs Tuckett had been unable to sleep and was sitting on her sofa watching TV at 3am on Wednesday when the bullets smashed through her window.
She said: “I heard two loud bangs and a flowerpot shattered on the windowsill.
“At first I thought it was a brick but then I saw the two holes in the window and the hole in the chair. “I was shocked to my core. “If I had been sat in the chair it would have gone straight through my back and I would have been dead.
“Now I feel terrified in my own home. I’m still in shock. I can’t get over what has happened.”
Her husband said: “When we realised someone had shot at us, we were gobsmacked. It has made us really fearful.”
Mr and Mrs Tuckett said police have told them they believe it may have been an organised hit in a war between rival gangs, or individuals who simply got the wrong house.
South Yorkshire Police have not issued any description of the suspect, despite having the footage. A squad car has been on guard outside the Tucketts’ home since the shooting.
It is understood the incident is being linked with a similar gun attack on another house in Sheffield on January 24.
Detective Inspector John Yoxall said: “Thankfully, the two people inside the house were not injured.
“Inquiries are now under way to identify those responsible and we believe the offenders were attempting to target a particular address.”