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Boy, 15, shot near Kesgrave High School in Ipswich as police arrest teen

Friends Walk and Through Jollys have been closed off by police as officers respond to reports of a shooting in Kesgrave, Suffolk: Google Maps
Friends Walk and Through Jollys have been closed off by police as officers respond to reports of a shooting in Kesgrave, Suffolk: Google Maps

A 15-year-old boy has been airlifted to hospital after being shot near a school, with police confirming a teenager has been arrested.

Kesgrave High School in Ipswich earlier said a Year 11 pupil was involved in a "serious incident" on their way to school on Monday morning.

Armed police officers and an air ambulance descended on the scene.

The victim suffered “serious” injuries and was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, Suffolk Police said.

A police statement added that officers were called just after 8.40am on Monday to reports of a shooting in Friends Walk.

The teenage boy who was arrested has been taken into police custody for questioning.

Suffolk Police 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.”

The school said on Twitter earlier: "We have 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."

Police said they were called to reports of a shooting at 8.40am and are currently at the scene of the "serious incident".

A number of road closures are in place and police have urged the public to avoid the area.

Kesgrave High School added: "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 school day.

"At the present time we are expecting students to be dismissed at the end of the school day, 3.20, as normal."

The owner of an animal shelter in Kesgrave said a man believed to be the suspect in the shooting had been hiding in his back garden, but escaped before armed police officers arrived.

The resident, who asked not to be named, said the man appeared to be in his mid-20s and “looked like he hadn’t had a haircut for a while”.

“I got woken up because my dogs were going absolutely ballistic at the back of the house.

“When I went to the back window to have a look there was a gentleman who looked like he was carrying something, at first I thought it was a bat or pole or something, and he went down behind my exotic animal enclosures.

He added that the man had a hooded top over his arm concealing whatever he was carrying.

“I’ve got no neighbours directly and I’ve got a woodland at the side… I didn’t see where he went.”

A spokesperson from the Suffolk Constabulary said: "Officers were called just after 8.40am 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."

Any witnesses, or anyone with information about this incident, is asked to contact Suffolk Police on 101 quoting reference CAD 58 of 7 September.

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