Police investigation launched after man shot in hand in Leeds

Detectives are investigating a shooting in Leeds after a man attended hospital with a gunshot wound to his hand.

Police were contacted at 9.50pm last night (13/5) after the 20-year-old sought emergency treatment at hospital.

His injury was not considered life threatening and he is continuing to undergo treatment.

He told officers that he had been shot at about 7.30pm that evening at the junction of Spencer Place and Shepherd’s Lane in Chapeltown when a dark coloured hatchback car pulled alongside him as he walked down the street.

A scene has been put in place at that location to undergo a specialist search and forensic examination.

Detective Inspector Andy Farrell, of West Yorkshire Police Firearms Prevent Team, said: “Our investigation is still in its very early stages and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident.

“We had no calls from members of the public reporting anything from the scene at the time the incident is said to have occurred and we are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed anything suspicious or saw this vehicle in the area.

“We believe this has been a targeted attack on the victim. There is nothing at this time to suggest any link between this incident and the two discharge incidents in Burmantofts Street and Servia Hill which happened on Wednesday last week.

“Detailed searches of the scene in Servia Hill did lead to the recovery of physical evidence which confirmed that incident as a firearms discharge. We are not currently linking that incident to the one at Burmantofts Street.

"We are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the two incidents last week and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed either incident or who has any information that could assist our investigations.

“We recognise that the criminal use of firearms on the streets will cause understandable concern in the community but we would like to reassure people that we have dedicated specialist officers working to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

“We are also continuing to liaise with our colleagues in the local neighbourhood policing teams who have plans in place to maintain a visible presence to reassure people in the areas affected by these incidents.