Detectives seek public's help over Leeds shooting

A 19-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the leg in the incident which happened at the junction of Stainbeck Road and Stainbeck Avenue, Meanwood, at about 5.30pm on Thursday, February 4.

The victim was driven to hospital by friends after the incident and has since been released following emergency treatment.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and subsequently released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Warren Stevenson, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “The criminal use of firearms on the streets is clearly something we cannot tolerate and we are continuing to conduct extensive enquiries into the circumstances surrounding this incident.

“This young man was shot at teatime in a public park at a busy junction and clearly the consequences could have been much worse. Without the emergency treatment he received we could easily be looking at a murder. The risks to other people in the area of a firearm being discharged in the street are also obvious.

“We have spoken to a number of witnesses who saw the incident itself but we are now keen to hear from those in the community who have specific information, particularly around who was responsible and what was behind what was likely to have been a targeted attack involving parties known to each other.

“People who are prepared to use firearms in this way present a threat to the community as a whole and we would urge anyone who has any information that could assist the investigation to contact us immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.