Boy, 15, is gunned down by teen on his way to school
A TEENAGER was in a critical condition last night after being shot on the way to school.
The victim, who is 15, is understood to have been gunned down by another teenager.
Pupils heading back to school for the first time since lockdown fled screaming from the scene.
Last night police said they had arrested a 15- year- old boy on suspicion of attempted murder.
He was detained in Ipswich, five miles from where the shooting took place.
The boy who was wounded is being treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, after being airlifted 90 miles from Kesgrave, a small town in Suffolk.
He was walking to Kesgrave High School when he was shot at about 8.40am on the town’s Grange Farm estate.
Paramedics worked on the boy for over an hour before an air ambulance took him to hospital. Armed police were also called to the scene. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told the House of Commons: “We’re all shocked and saddened to learn about the incident.
“Our thoughts are very much with the young person, their family and the whole school community at this very difficult time.”
Suffolk Police said that they believed the incident was isolated and ruled out a threat to the wider community.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Jones added: “We have now made an arrest as part of the investigation and are working to ensure that everyone feels safe when they collect their children from school.” Witness Andy Watts said he was walking his dog when he heard “a gunshot and then I heard a great big scream”.
He added: “It sounded like scaffolding falling down originally because it was a big, big crash.
“I saw them working on the young lad over on the green.
“He was over there for quite a while while they were attending to him, a lot of ambulance staff and paramedics working on him.”
Lisa Sayer, who is a parent, wrote on Facebook: “My daughter and friends were walking to school and heard what sounded exactly like a gunshot.
“Then lots of people screaming and a lady saying ‘ Run, someone has been shot’. I had four terrified children come running back to mine. There are now at least four police cars lined up outside the road involved.”
Phil Bennett, 38, of East Bergholt, went to check on his parents who live near the scene.
He said: “My dad’s a retired paramedic – he’s heard a lot of gunshots in his time so he stayed indoors. The next thing he knew there were police piling in. Then it’s a scene of crime.
“It’s hard to believe this has happened 100 yards from my mum’s front door. That someone’s been shot. It’s terrible what’s going on.”
The school’s head teacher, Julia Upton, sent a message early on to parents to explain the disruption and reassure them that the other children were safe.
She wrote: “We have been made aware by the police that there has been a serious incident involving one of our Year 11 students on their way to school.
“Students in school are safe and we are managing the situation in constant close communication with the police.
“Students are to remain in school, and will be kept safe in liaison with police. Police will be present in the area and around the school throughout the school day.”
Debbie McCallum, a local councillor and pub landlady, said: “This is dreadful news – someone’s child has been shot on the way to school. It’s unimaginable... everyone will be affected in some way.
“Kesgrave is a caring community where people look after each other.”
Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.