A man was shot in a busy park in broad daylight just metres away from where children were playing.
Armed police swooped on the popular Locke Park in Barnsley after a man, who is in his 30s, was found bleeding yesterday afternoon.
Children riding their bikes were seen close to the cordon where the victim was receiving emergency treatment.
Witnesses described fleeing the beauty spot after seeing ‘police and paramedics everywhere.’
Yorkshire Ambulance Service confirmed it sent the air ambulance and two vehicles upon receiving reports a person had been shot.
A spokesman said: ‘We got a call at 2.55pm to reports of a person who had been shot and was bleeding.
‘We sent one ambulance, one rapid response vehicle, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance was in attendance and so was our hazardous area response team.’
An 18-year-old man from Barnsley has been arrested on suspicion of Section 18 assault and firearms offences and a 45-year-old woman from Barnsley has been arrested on suspicion of assisting offenders. Both remain in police custody and are being questioned.
Locke Park, on the outskirts of Barnsley, is one of the town’s biggest outdoor open spaces.
It features several buildings and statues commissioned by its founder, railway pioneer Joseph Locke, whose wife gifted the space to local people after his death.
Families enjoying a day-out described witnessing harrowing scenes in the aftermath of the shooting.
One witness said: ‘was there with the little one when all police and ambulances turned up, never seen owt like it, got straight back in car.’
Another said it made them ‘not want to go anywhere’, adding: ‘I fear for my kids when they get older and start going out on their own.’
Labour councillor Kevin Osborne, posted: ‘Worrying news from Locke Park, with reports of a shooting close to a children’s play area.
‘It’s vital our emergency services are left to process the scene in peace; now is not the time for Facebook likes, Barnsley is, and will be, better than this.’
South Yorkshire Police DCI Nikki Leach said: ‘We would like to make it clear that this was a targeted attack, and there remains no danger to the public in the surrounding area.
‘If anyone saw or heard anything around the time of the incident, no matter how small you think it is, then please get in contact and let us know.’
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