Two men have been shot with a manhunt underway in what police believe was a targeted attack.
Emergency services rushed to Prescot, in Merseyside, this afternoon following reports of two men in their 20s being found with gunshot wounds.
Merseyside Police said they were called to Pottery Lane at 2.50pm and the victims were taken to hospital. Officers remain in the area and are conducting “urgent CCTV, house-to-house and forensic enquiries”.
Detective Superintendent Paul Speight said: “Although these are the early hours of our investigation, it is absolutely vital that we gather all available evidence as soon as possible.
“If you saw, heard or may have captured anything on CCTV, dashcam or doorbell devices, please come forward at the earliest opportunity. Our initial assessment is this was a targeted attack on the two victims, for reasons we will establish as the investigation progresses.
“To fire a weapon in our communities at any time is of course a concern, but to do so in a residential area on a Sunday afternoon is beyond comprehension. I want to make it clear to anyone involved that our determination to find those responsible will be absolute, and we will target anyone who has carried out this shooting, or assisted those responsible in any way.
“Gun crime in Merseyside has become increasingly rare in recent years, and it is in no small part down to the information, engagement and partnership work in those areas which have been affected.
“This same community strength will help us in the coming days. If you know anything, speak to us directly or anonymously and we will take positive action to find and remove from the community any firearms and those people reckless enough to use them.”
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