Police say they are looking for other suspects in connection with a shooting in Bury St Edmunds – as they continue to question three people in connection with the incident.

The victim, in his 30s, remained in a stable condition in hospital last night having been shot in the stomach at Forum Court at around 6.45pm on Tuesday.

Three people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder – a 58-year-old man and two women aged 59 and 28. All are from the Needham Market area.

Police said last night they were looking for other suspects – and they are also trying to establish whether a burnt-out car discovered in Rushbrooke Lane, Bury, at 7.15pm on Tuesday is connected to the shooting.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Caroline Millar, said: “Although we are still seeking suspects in connection to this incident, I would like to reassure local residents that we are not treating this as a random attack and therefore do not believe there is any threat to the wider public.

“Extensive police enquiries have been taking place since last night and we are following-up a number of leads.

“I urge anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity at either Forum Court or Rushbrooke Lane on Tuesday evening to contact police as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, people in Bury have spoken of their shock. St Edmundsbury mayor Patrick Chung, said Bury had a reputation as a safe and low-crime town.

“It is very shocking,” he said. “I drove past there yesterday and saw the police, but I thought it must have been a car accident. You would never expect a shooting, not in Bury.”

One Forum Court resident said: “I was terrified. We have families living here with young kids.

“It was terrifying. The police swarmed the area within minutes. I was scared, so I can’t imagine what those with families and those living across the court next to where it happened were thinking.”

Alex Robinson was working at The Station pub, next door to Forum Court, on Tuesday night. He had just finished his shift when police arrived on the scene.

“They came rushing in, told us to close our front doors and quickly closed the road,” he said.

“The police did their jobs very well, they were bang on it and incredibly professional.”

The shooting is believed to be the first for over a year in Suffolk. The county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “Incidents like this are very rare. I would really like to reassure people that Suffolk is a very safe place to live and work.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the major investigation team on 101 quoting reference BU/15/2542, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.