A man is in a serious condition in hospital after being shot in the leg in Luton this morning.
The incident, which is the tenth shooting in the town this year, happened in Dunstable Road at the junction with Leicester Road at 8am.
Emergency services, including armed officers, responded immediately, a Beds Police spokesman said. The victim is a 27-year-old Asian man, who detectives say knew his attacker.
Misbah Naveed, who has lived in Dunstable Road for four years, said: “It’s so sad. I heard the shot but thought it was a bonfire. I don’t understand it, how someone can have a gun. This is a very nice area, we are very happy here, but today, it is sad and bad.”
Mrs Naveed’s children were in bed at the time and she was making their breakfast when she heard the gunshot.
Eye witnesses described seeing a collision between the victim’s car and another silver saloon-type vehicle. As the victim got out of the car to remonstrate he was shot. The silver car was then seen to drive away.
The incident happened outside The Leicester Arms pub.
A member of staff from the pub said: “We don’t wish to make any comment but the pub is closed and will remain closed until further notice from the police.”
The gunman is being described as a “skinny” white man around 6ft tall.
Officers and forensic experts are now at the scene and Dunstable Road is currently closed.
Supt Dave Boyle said: “This would appear to be a targeted incident involving people who know each other.
“We take firearms related crime extremely seriously and will not tolerate guns in our towns. The fact that a gun has been discharged in such an open and public arena causes us great concern and we have responded quickly with our own armed officers.
“If anyone has information about this incident please contact the police in confidence as a matter of urgency. A £1,000 reward is available to anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of people for gun crime.”