Neighbours described hearing "bangs" and the sound of "people screaming" after a teenager was shot on a Wirral estate last night.
People living close to the scene were woken by police knocking on their doors asking for information. It followed a 17-year-old going to Arrowe Park Hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his leg, at around 10.40pm The victim remains in hospital in a stable condition.
The incident took place on the Beechwood estate in Bidston, Wirral. Following enquiries, a scene was established on Fender Way, and evidence consistent with shots being fired was found.
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Today a section of Fender Way close to a parade of shops and a bus stop remained cordoned off. The crime scene was also close to a skatepark. Cars were diverted while parents taking their children to one of the nearby schools walked past the scene.
A forensics officer combed the area and a mobile police station was set up next to the small shopping area.
One parent who was walking by said: "It's disgusting to see this happening close to so many schools. Kids play around here and go to the shops for sweets. I'm thinking about taking mine to another school. They could end up in the middle of it. It's usually got something to do with drugs."
One neighbour who lives close to the scene of the incident said: "I just heard a bang and then people screaming and running.
"It was a loud bang and at first I thought it was one of my neighbours moving something, or just youngsters messing around. I was shocked when I found out. It's not safe round here on the estate. It's worrying, especially with young kids."
Another said: "I knew it was gunshots when I heard them. It happens everywhere now. It doesn't matter where you live. It's all tit-for-tat. If they're going to do it, they're going to do it."
Detective Inspector Yoseph Al-Ramadhan of Merseyside Police said: "We are in the early stages of an investigation into a shooting which has left a young man injured. We understand the fear that gun crime causes and I'd like to assure the community that we think this was a targeted attack, one which we're thoroughly investigating.
"I would appeal to anyone who was in the Beechwood estate area yesterday evening who saw anything or anyone suspicious to come forward and let us know. Similarly if you were driving on Fender Way and have dashcam footage then please review it and tell us if you see anything. Information you hold could be vital to our investigation."
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook or call 101 with reference 22000324502.
You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111, or their online form here.
Anyone with any footage, can upload this to be viewed by police via the following link to the NICE website: Firearms Discharge Fender Way, Birkenhead 11th May 2022 | Merseyside Police | Community Portal (digital-policing.co.uk)
