Boys aged 16 and 17 arrested over shooting of 12-year-old
HELD ON SUSPICION OF ATTEMPTED MURDER
THREE teenagers have been arrested in connection with the shooting of a 12-year-old boy in Huddersfield.
The Homicide and Major Enquiry Team has said it is continuing to investigate the circumstances behind the firearms discharge at the Northfield Hall Community Centre on Norfolk Avenue, Brackenhall.
Detectives are treating the matter as attempted murder and have made three arrests. Officers carried out raids in connection with the attack. They arrested a 17-year-old male from Almondbury and a 16-year-old male from Dalton on suspicion of attempted murder.
A third male, aged 16, was also arrested on yesterday on suspicion of the same offence.
All remain in custody today for questioning.
West Yorkshire Police also confirmed that a huge forensic search in Moldgreen was linked to the shooting.
Scores of officers in white overalls were in Long Lane yesterday searching a number of houses.
Officers were originally called to Northfield Hall at 7.15pm on Tuesday following a report of a disturbance there.
A short time later a 12-year-old boy arrived at hospital with gunshot wounds.
West Yorkshire Police say he remains there for non-life threatening but potentially life-changing injuries. They say he had walked out of the centre with friends when a male suspect, who had arrived outside the centre with another three males, fired at him.
Immediately after the discharge, a second boy, aged 13, was threatened by a man carrying a knife.
The victim, who was not attacked with the knife, fled and fell over, suffering a minor injury.
All four suspects are believed to have fled the scene in a BMW which was later found burnt out in the Edale Avenue area of Newsome several miles away.
Det Chief Inspector Vanessa Rolfe of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “We are very much continuing to appeal for witnesses as our investigations continue into this very serious incident, which we are treating as attempted murder.
“Three males have been arrested following arrest enquiries and detectives and specialist police units are continuing to conduct operations across the Kirklees area.
“I want to thank members of the public who have got in touch with us so far.
“I continue to ask anyone who can assist our enquiries in relation to the firearms discharge or the car being abandoned to come forward.
“We are particularly keen to speak to a witness who we think was present in the Edale avenue area at the time the BMW was abandoned and was set on fire.
“He was wearing a high vis jacket and seen chatting to paramedics parked up in a nearby ambulance, so may have witnessed the car being abandoned.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting crime reference 13200126809.
Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.