Two men arrested after teen shot in stomach in 'targeted' attack
A 19-year-old is under police guard in Basildon Hospital, where he is in a serious condition after Wednesday evening's shooting.
Thursday 27 September 2018 11:13, UK
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a teenager was shot in the stomach, police have said.
The 19-year-old victim has a police guard with him at Basildon University Hospital, where he is in a "serious condition".
Police believe he was the victim of a targeted attack after he was approached by two men shortly before 7.15pm on Wednesday in Tilbury, Essex.
A 36-year-old man from Tilbury and a 40-year-old man from Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, are being questioned in custody.
The police presence at the hospital sparked fears it was on lockdown, but patients have been told to turn up as normal to appointments and to A&E.
The area where the alleged shooting took place remains cordoned off.
Detective Inspector Stuart Truss, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "This investigation is in a very early stage but we're already building up a picture of the circumstances which led up to it.
"While it is unclear what the motive behind the attack was we believe it was targeted and there is no risk to the wider public.
"I appreciate this will be concerning for the local community but I want to emphasise incidents like this are very rare.
"The area where it is thought this incident took place is a busy residential one and I believe someone will have seen something.
"I particularly need to speak to anyone who saw a small black car in the area at the time of the incident."
:: Anyone with information should call Essex Police on 101 quoting reference 1114 of 26 September.