Police find ‘long-barrelled gun’ after 15-year-old boy shot on way to school

A “long-barrelled gun” has been found by police investigating the shooting of a 15-year-old boy on his way to school.

The Year 11 pupil suffered serious injuries in the attack in Kesgrave, Suffolk, on Monday morning and remains in hospital in critical condition.

Just over two hours after the shooting, armed police officers arrested another 15-year-old boy four miles away in Ipswich.

The teenager, from Woodbridge, is being held for questioning on suspicion of attempted murder.

Suffolk Police said the suspect and the victim were known to each other and there was no suggestion of a link to organised crime.

Superintendent Kerry Cutler told reporters that the force was not looking for anyone else and confirmed officers had recovered a weapon.

The gun, described by police as “a long-barrelled firearm”, was found in a car seized at the time of the arrest.

Police said a witness had reported seeing the vehicle driving away after the attack on the Grange Farm Estate in Kesgrove at 8.40am.

“This has been a fast-moving investigation, with officers working around the clock,” said Temporary Detective Superintendent David Henderson, the senior investigating officer.

"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 inquiries 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.”

On Tuesday afternoon officers continued to search the scene in Friends Walk, which has been closed off to the public.

Kesgrave High School confirmed that one of its Year 11 students had been involved in a “serious incident" on their way to class.

“In order to provide reassurance to the school community there will be a police presence as students leave school today and over the next few days,” the school tweeted on Monday.

Suffolk Police said its officers “will continue to engage with school children, teachers, parents and local residents to provide reassurance, listen to any concerns and to reiterate the fact it is an isolated incident.”

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Suffolk shooting: Teenager arrested after 15-year-old boy shot on way to school