Police hunt witnesses to Christmas Eve shooting in Leeds

A 25-year-old man was left with serious abdominal injuries after being shot near the BP petrol station in Thornville Road, Burley on Christmas Eve.

The incident happened after two vehicles – a white Audi and a dark coloured or black hatchback – met at the scene.

The victim was treated at hospital for serious injuries but has since been released.

Two men, aged 24 and 27, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the incident and are currently on police bail pending further enquiries.

Det Chief Insp Mark McManus, from West Yorkshire Police’s homicide and major enquiry team, said: “The criminal use of firearms on the streets is always treated very seriously and we are continuing to conduct extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident.

“Our checks on CCTV in the area has shown two men who we urgently want to trace as potential witnesses.

“They were in Thornville Road by the BP garage when the shooting occurred and they may have information that could assist the investigation.”

He added: “I am appealing directly for the men themselves to contact us or for anyone who recognises them to get in touch. I want to stress that we are only interested in speaking to them as potential witnesses and not as suspects.”

Police also want to speak to anyone with information about the incident.

Det Chief Insp McManus added: “I continue to appeal to anyone in the wider community who has any information about the background to the incident, or about who was involved, to pass that on to us.”

Call the homicide and major enquiry team on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.