Kesgrave residents in Grange Farm have spoken of the moment they heard a gunshot in a serious incident on Monday morning.
Suffolk police remain at the scene after one person was shot in Through Jollys shortly after 8.40am, with the Essex and Herts Air Amubulance landing nearby.
Through Jollys and Friends Walk remain closed to the public as police conduct an investigation into the incident.
MORE: Grange Farm shooting: Kesgrave High School confirms Year 11 pupil involved
The condition of the shooting victim is currently unknown, and police have not yet made clear whether any arrests have been made.
Kesgrave High School later confirmed a Year 11 student had been involved in the incident.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson told the House of Commons during the afternoon: “I think we’re all shocked and saddened to learn about the incident in which a young person was seriously hurt on their way to school in Suffolk today.
“Our thoughts are very much with the young person, their family and the whole school community at this very difficult time.”
One couple, who live in Howard’s Way, said they saw the air ambulance take off with the shooting victim inside.
They said: “We were out when it happened as we’d gone on a short drive to go walk the dogs. “When we got back it was all cordoned off and we haven’t been allowed in since.”
A man who lives in Through Jollys added: “I heard the sound of the gunshot, I thought someone had dropped a paving slab or something.
“I heard the screams so I ran outside to see if I could go help. When the ambulance and police arrived I was asked to get back so they could get on with their job.
“I told my son it’s not a bad area just because something like this has happened.”
Canan and Umran work in Bean House coffee shop in Ropes Drive, less than a mile away from the scene of the shooting.
Canan’s two children are in Year 7 and Year 10 at Kesgrave High School and she was incredibly worried when she received an email from the school to say that a pupil had been involved in an incident.
“I was so shocked that something like this would happen here,” she said.
“I moved here because it is known as a good friendly, family area and you just have to think how does something like this happen here.
“It is so terrible and we are all so sad for the boy’s family.”
The coffee shop was quiet and subdued this morning and Umran said after lockdown they’ve been very busy – however today they had barely any customers.
“I moved here from Ipswich two years ago,” she said. “We have lots of elderly people and a good community around here, lots of families and young children.
“So shocking and upsetting to hear the news and you can see that people in the community are saddened because of how quiet the cafe is today.”
UPDATE: Teenager arrested as 15-year-old shot in Kesgrave
Debbie McCallum, East Suffolk councillor for Kesgrave, urged residents not to panic after the “horrible” incident.
She said: “This is definitely not the usual thing you expect to see in Kesgrave. We are a quiet, relaxed town.
“My utmost sympathies go to the victim who was shot.
“I would urge people to stay calm - the police have this under control.
“If you have any information that could help the police, I would urge you to come forward.”
Dr Dan Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, added: “I am dismayed to learn of the serious incident which has occurred in Kesgrave this morning. My thoughts are with the young person and their family.”
The Rt Rev Martin Seeley, Bishop of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese, said: “I am utterly dismayed at the shooting this morning of a year 11 pupil on his way to Kesgrave High School.
“My thoughts and prayers are for him, his family, the pupils, and staff of the school, and all the residents.
“My prayers too are for the perpetrator, and their family, as we all seek answers for how such a terrible event could have happened.
“We are grateful for the speedy response of the medical team, and to the police in making an arrest.”
Phil Bennett, 38, of East Bergholt, said his father lives near to the scene in Kesgrave and heard a gunshot.
Mr Bennett said he drove to check on his parents at their home in Lyon Close after seeing vague details of the incident on Facebook and becoming concerned.
“My dad heard a gunshot,” he said. “He’s a retired paramedic - he’s heard a lot of gunshots in his time, so he stayed indoors.
“The next thing he knew there were police piling in, then it’s a scene of crime.
“It’s hard to believe this has happened 100 metres from my mum’s front door, that someone’s been shot. It’s terrible what’s going on.”
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