Concern over shooting of boy, 12, on Sheffield estate

The youngster was shot in his leg on Errington Road, Arbourthorne, when a gun was fired from a passing car at around 3.45pm yesterday.

South Yorkshire Police said the boy was among a group of adults and children congregating in the street when the shooting took place.

He was taken to hospital and was in a stable condition last night.

In addition to the drive-by shooting yesterday, a gun was reportedly fired during a disturbance at the Kettle Black bar on Ecclesall Road just before 11pm on Friday, January 10.

Luca Premi, 24, of Treswell Crescent, Hillsborough, has since been charged over the Ecclesall Road incident and is due at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court today.

On Saturday, January 4, a 28-year-old man was shot in his upper body in an attack on Staniforth Road, Darnall and three days later a 44-year-old man was shot in his arm on Carlisle Street, Burngreave.

Posting on Facebook after the latest incident, Lisa Ellis said: “That child could have been killed.”

Karen Smith added: “Who would shoot a 12-year-old. Things are getting well out of hand.”

Ste Dobson added: “It’s getting beyond a joke, everyday something serious is happening in Sheffield. Criminals know they get a slap on hand and off back out they go. It's out of hand.”

And Gill Heptinstall posted: “Gun crime is increasing at an alarming rate now.”

Barnsley Rowe added: “Possession of a firearm should carry a mandatory 10 year sentence. No warnings, no mitigating circumstances. You illegally carry a firearm and you get 10 years. You use it and it's life, no parole.”

Shelly Salvatore Coles added: “Hope the poor lad will be ok. You are just not safe anywhere, it's so scary to think you are walking to the shop and get shot at or stabbed in some cases.

“Hope they got those people who was driving around with the shotgun. This country is a disgrace. Fingers crossed the young boy is gonna be ok.”