Boy, 11, shot in head while going to get his football back from neighbours
23 May 2024, 12:02
A boy has suffered a fractured skull after being shot in the head while going to retrieve his football from his neighbours.
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The boy, who has yet to be named, was playing with friends in the back garden at home in the Lancashire town of Leyland on Monday evening.
The ball went over the fence and as the boy climbed up to have a look he was hit with a metal pellet in the head. Lancashire Police say they think it was shot from an air weapon.
The boy was rushed to hospital for surgery, and is now recovering, police said on Thursday.
Officers are still investigating the shooting, which took place on Roadtrain Avenue at around 7.20pm on Monday.
And they said the boy was lucky to be alive, as they called for anyone with any information to come forward.
Detective Constable Paul Brown added: "This incident has left a young boy with some really significant injuries, and it is fortunate he was not more seriously hurt or even killed.
"We are carrying out a number of enquiries to try and identify the person or persons responsible and I would appeal to anyone who saw what happened, has any dashcam or Ring doorbell footage, or who has any information which could assist our investigation to get in touch.
“I’m sure someone in the local community knows who is responsible for what’s happened to this young boy and I would urge them to come and speak to us."
You can call police on 101 quoting log 1410 of May 20th or alternatively you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.
