Kesgrave shooting: Gun seized by police after 15 year old shot on way to school
Detectives investigating the shooting of a 15 year old in Kesgrave have seized a long-barrelled gun.
Police were called to Friends Walk in the town at around 8.40am yesterday to reports of a teenage boy, who was a student at Kesgrave High School, having been shot.
A Suffolk Police spokesman confirmed that the gun had been seized today.
In an update from police this afternoon, they said, following yesterday's shooting, witnesses reported seeing the suspect get into a car, which drove off out of the area.
Another 15-year-old boy was then arrested in Westbrook Avenue, Ipswich, at around 11am yesterday on suspicion of attempted murder.
A car matching the description of that seen leaving the crime scene was seized at the time of the arrest and a long-barrelled firearm was recovered from inside it.
Police have now been granted a superintendent's extension to detain the suspect for questioning for an additional 12 hours, meanwhile a police pod is now in place in Through Jollys to provide a visible presence to local residents, with officers present between 8am and 9.30am in the mornings and 2pm and 3.30pm in the afternoons.
Residents can ask questions or raise queries and allow police to continue to listen and understand concerns of the community.
Temporary Detective Superintendent David Henderson, the Senior Investigating Officer, said they now know that the victim and the suspect are known to each other, and there is nothing to suggest this is linked to organised crime.
He said: "This has been a fast-moving investigation, with officers working around the clock since yesterday morning.
"I appreciate that many people will still be very concerned at an attack of this nature happening in a small town such as Kesgrave, but we continue to stress that incidents like this are extremely rare and that there is no wider threat to the local community.
"In addition, following the initial enquiries that have been carried-out, we can confirm that the victim and the suspect are known to each other and at this time there is absolutely nothing to suggest this incident is linked to organised criminality.
"Our thoughts remain with the victim and his family and we continue to offer them our full support.
"Additional patrols to provide reassurance are continuing in Kesgrave and a police pod has been put in place, so local residents have somewhere they can go to speak to officers should they wish to.
"I would urge anyone who has information about this terrible attack to make contact with us as soon as possible.”
The victim was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, in Cambridge, by air ambulance yesterday where he is being treated for serious injuries.
This afternoon, police said the boy remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Police patrols in the Kesgrave area are set to continue over the coming days, with officers engaging with schoolchildren, teachers, parents and local residents to provide reassurance, listen to any concerns and to reiterate the fact it is an isolated incident.
Officer support is coming from various sources such as the local Safer Neighbourhood Team, Community Engagement Officers and Youth Engagement Officers.
Additionally, their School Liaison Officers are working with schools in providing bespoke engagement within schools that identify a specific need as a result of this incident.
Friends Walk remains closed off as police searches continue, while Through Jollys and Ropes Drive reopened yesterday evening.
Any witnesses, or anyone with information about this incident, should contact the Major Investigation Team via this online portal or by calling 101.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form .
Kesgrave shooting: All we know so far
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Read more: All the latest news from Kesgrave
