Investigation underway into shooting in Leeds

A 23 year old man's been injured in a shooting in Leeds in what police believe was a targeted attack.

He was in a BMW car near to the A64 flyover on Wednesday night at 6.30pm when three masked men got out of a car armed with machetes or bats and shot the man with what's believed to be a handgun.

A large scene has been cordoned off around Burmantofts Street with police searches underway and forensic teams examining the area.

Detectives say they've already spoken to a number of witnesses but would like to hear from anyone who has information for the inquiry.

The incident has caused long delays throughout morning rush hour with the scene in place on a major commuter route but officers say they're doing everything they can to minimise disruption and gather evidence.

West Yorkshire police have made the following appeal....

Detectives are appealing for information following a shooting in Leeds last night.

At about 6.30pm on Wednesday, May 9, a 23-year-old man was in a BMW car that was stationary at traffic lights in Burmantofts Street, near to the A64 flyover.

A silver Mazda 3 forced its way through the traffic and pulled alongside the BMW.

Three black males wearing balaclavas got out of the Mazda. Two were armed with machetes or bats and began attacking the vehicle before one of the three produced what was believed to be a handgun and fired at the victim who was sat in the front passenger seat.

The men left the scene in the Mazda which reversed into a member of the public’s car behind it causing damage before making off down St Mary’s Street.

The victim was driven to nearby St James’s Hospital with a gunshot wound to his shoulder. The injury was classed as minor and he was treated and released. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession of firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and is currently in custody.

The silver Mazda 3 was later found burned out in Davies Avenue, Roundhay.

A large scene is currently in place in Burmantofts Street to undergo searches and forensic examination.

Detective Inspector Andy Farrell, of West Yorkshire Police Firearms Prevent Team, said: “We believe this has been a targeted attack on the victim. The criminal use of firearms on the streets is always something that we treat very seriously and we are currently carrying out extensive enquiries to identify those responsible and to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident.

“We recognise the scene we have in place on a main commuter route will be causing significant disruption to the public and to the hospital site but we are doing everything we can to minimise that and to process the scene as quickly as possible while ensuring we gather all necessary evidence.

“We have already spoken to a number of witnesses but we would still like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation.

“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in Davies Avenue, Roundhay, where the silver Mazda 3 was abandoned and set on fire.

“We appreciate that incidents of this nature will cause understandable concern to the public but we are keen to reassure people that we have specialist officers who are working to identify those involved and take appropriate action. We are also liaising with our colleagues in the local neighbourhood policing team who will be increasing their presence in the area to reassure people.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Firearms Prevent Team via 101 quoting Operation Flowwick or online via https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contact-us or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111