Hunt for gun after boy shoots himself

When police arrived the gun had been removed and it has yet to be found.

The boy was taken to hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

Police cordoned off part of Lymington Drive in Holme Wood following Wednesday morning’s shooting.

Residents claimed the estate is plagued by criminals.

Within an hour of the shooting three men, aged 33, 20 and 21 were arrested but they have since been released without charge.

It is understood that the boy was with a 22-year-old woman when she discovered a shotgun hidden in a bag in a garden shed.

It is believed that the gun went off when the boy picked up either the bag or the shotgun itself.

Detectives are still trying to piece together exactly what happened, why the gun was being stored in the shed and who put it there.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Police were called at 8.30am on Wednesday to Lymington Drive following reports that a 16-year-old male had received a self-inflicted shotgun wound to his foot.

“He was taken to hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.”

The extent of his wounds have not been disclosed.

He said three men had been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm. They have since been released.

Neighbourhood policing team officers are patrolling the area to offer reassurance to local residents.

Police have appealed for information about the incident and are keen to trace the whereabouts of the shotgun, although a description of the weapon has not been released.

Det Insp Mark Long of Bradford South CID is leading the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 606.