Girl, 11, Shot As She Queued For Ice Cream - 25th Apr 2009 9:02pm
Girl, 11, Shot As She Queued For Ice Cream
A girl has been shot in the shoulder with an air weapon in a "despicable attack" as she queued at an ice cream van.
The 11-year-old and her 15-year-old sister were talking to the ice cream seller when a gang of youths approached in Huyton, Merseyside.
One of the youths pulled out the weapon and fired at the girl before he rode off on his bike.
The rest of the gang also fled the area.
The victim's sister then ran home to alert her parents who contacted the emergency services.
The 11-year-old was taken to hospital to be treated for her injuries, which are not believed to be serious.
Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident in Lordens Road at about 9.30pm on Friday.
Merseyside Police Superintendent John Myles said: "This was a despicable attack on an 11-year-old girl who had gone to buy an ice cream.
"The illegal use of air weapons is completely unacceptable and we will act quickly on any information from the community to suggest that air weapons are being misused."
Forensic examinations were carried out at the scene and house-to-house inquiries are under way.
The offender is described as male, white, 16 to 17 years old, approximately 5ft 2in with a heavy build.
He was wearing a black jacket, black tracksuit bottoms, hat and a scarf hiding his face.
:: Merseyside Police has urged anyone with information in relation to the incident to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
SKY NEWS
A girl has been shot in the shoulder with an air weapon in a "despicable attack" as she queued at an ice cream van.
The 11-year-old and her 15-year-old sister were talking to the ice cream seller when a gang of youths approached in Huyton, Merseyside.
One of the youths pulled out the weapon and fired at the girl before he rode off on his bike.
The rest of the gang also fled the area.
The victim's sister then ran home to alert her parents who contacted the emergency services.
The 11-year-old was taken to hospital to be treated for her injuries, which are not believed to be serious.
Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident in Lordens Road at about 9.30pm on Friday.
Merseyside Police Superintendent John Myles said: "This was a despicable attack on an 11-year-old girl who had gone to buy an ice cream.
"The illegal use of air weapons is completely unacceptable and we will act quickly on any information from the community to suggest that air weapons are being misused."
Forensic examinations were carried out at the scene and house-to-house inquiries are under way.
The offender is described as male, white, 16 to 17 years old, approximately 5ft 2in with a heavy build.
He was wearing a black jacket, black tracksuit bottoms, hat and a scarf hiding his face.
:: Merseyside Police has urged anyone with information in relation to the incident to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
SKY NEWS