Terror as gunman opens fire at Sheffield wedding reception

Guests hid under tables at the Sheffield Park Hotel at Meadowhead when the gunman burst in brandishing a weapon.

One eye-witness said the gunman was eventually disarmed by friends and relatives of the bride and groom.

He was restrained on the floor of the hotel on Chesterfield Road South until police arrived.

It is understood no-one was seriously hurt.

The witness said: “It was a big Asian wedding and all the men and boys were in one room and the women and girls in another,” he said.

“The man with the gun walked straight into the room where all the men were and started showing the gun off to make everyone aware he had a weapon.

“He then started firing it and people were diving for cover all over the place to avoid getting hit.

“There were people under tables and there were people running out of the room.

“The women from the other room, hearing what was happening, were screaming and shouting and children were crying.”

South Yorkshire Police confirmed a gun had been fired during a wedding just before 8pm on Sunday, and said three men were arrested.

Yesterday the three were “helping police with their inquiries” while forensic work is carried out by scenes of crimes investigators.

Det Chf Insp Zaf Ali said: “Police attended at a hotel on Chesterfield Road South in Sheffield following allegations of a firearm been discharged during a wedding reception at the premises.

“It is believed an argument occurred between some wedding guests during the reception and a weapon was discharged. Fortunately no-one was injured.”