A secondary school has been put into lockdown after reports of a ‘shooting involving a Year 11 pupil’.
Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) officers swarmed the area following reports of shots being fired in Kesgrave, near Ipswich.
The victim – a 15-year-old boy – sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital where he is receiving urgent medical attention.
A spokesperson for Suffolk Constabulary said:
‘Officers were called just after 8.40 am this morning, Monday 7 September, to reports of a shooting in Grange Farm.
‘Friends Walk and Through Jollys are completely closed off at present, and there is a partial closure on Ropes Drive.
‘Members of the public are asked to avoid these areas.
‘Any witnesses, or anyone with information about this incident, is asked to contact Suffolk Police on 101 quoting reference CAD 58 of 7 September’.
According to the Ipswich Star, the headteacher of Kesgrave High School send an email to parents confirming that the incident involved one of its Year 11 pupils who was ‘on their way to school’.
The email reportedly said:
‘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 the police.
‘Police will be present in the area and around the school throughout the day.
‘At the present time, we are expecting students to be dimissed at the end of the school day at 3.20pm as normal’.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Jones said:
“Following this serious incident our priority is to keep everyone safe.
“We have now made an arrest as part of the investigation and are working with our partners in Suffolk and our schools to ensure that everyone feels safe when they are collecting their children from school this afternoon.
“There will be more police officers on patrol and to provide reassurance in the area and I would ask for anyone with information about this incident to come forward.”
An Essex & Herts Air Ambulance landed near to the school at around 09:50 hours this morning.
The condition of the patient is not known, and the East of England Ambulance Service is yet to release a statement.
Last updated: 14:47 / 0709
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