Police declared a major incident this morning after a teenage boy was reportedly shot in Kesgrave. Here’s what we know so far:
What happened?
Police were called at 8.40am to reports of a shooting in Friends Walk, off Through Jollys, in Kesgrave. A 15-year-old, who had been walking to school, was shot.
Officers cordoned off part of the Grange Farm estate as the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance landed near the scene.
Police urged people to avoid the area and confirmed one person had been shot in a serious incident.
Friends Walk and Through Jollys were completely closed off – with a partial closure in Ropes Drive.
MORE: Schoolboy in ‘critical’ condition after shooting
How did the local community react?
People reported hearing a gunshot, and seeing others flee the scene, while some people were instructed by police to stay in their homes.
Kesgrave High School headteacher, Julia Upton, sent a message to parents saying staff had been made aware of a serious incident involving a year 11 student on their way to school.
Kesgrave High and Heath Primary, in Bell Lane, confirmed that pupils would be kept on-site until the end of the day.
A resident of Through Jollys said: “I heard the sound of the gunshot. I thought someone had dropped a paving slab or something.
“I heard the screams, so I ran outside to see if I could go help. When the ambulance and police arrived, I was asked to get back so they could get on with their job.
“I told my son it’s not a bad area just because something like this has happened.”
MORE: Do not share social media images of shooting, say police
What happened next?
At 10.55am, on the other side of Ipswich, police cordoned off Westwood Avenue, which runs between Norwich Road and Valley Road.
Police later confirmed a 15-year-old boy from the Woodbridge area had been arrested there on suspicion of attempted murder.
A large police presence remained on scene into the afternoon.
At 11.21am, police confirmed the 15-year-old boy had sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for urgent medical treatment.
His condition was later described as critical.
MORE: Residents tell how they heard gunshot followed by screams
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.”
Did you witness anything?
Any witnesses, or anyone with information about the incident, is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team, quoting reference: 52067/20.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here