Boy injured by air weapon - update

Thursday, May 23, 2024

We asked for help earlier today as part of an investigation into an incident in Leyland where a young boy was shot in the head with an airgun, and we wanted to give you an update.

Following a number of enquiries we have now identified someone of interest to our investigation and we will be speaking to them in due course. That person is another juvenile.

The victim, 11, was playing football with friends in the back garden of a house on Roadtrain Avenue in Leyland on Monday evening when the ball went over a fence.

As the boy climbed the fence to look over, he was hit in the head by a metal pellet fired from what is thought to be an air weapon.

He suffered a fractured skull and was taken to Alder Hey hospital for surgery. He is now recovering.

The incident happened at about 7.20pm on Monday, May 20th.

Det Insp Paul Mulrooney, of South CID, said: “I’m grateful to those who have come forward with information so far. We have now identified someone, and we will be speaking to that individual in due course. We are confident there is no wider risk to anyone in the community.

“Thankfully the victim’s injuries are not serious, and he is making a good recovery.”