A teenager suffered minor injuries when shot while playing football at school in Wrexham, police have confirmed. Detectives believe an air weapon was fired from outside the grounds of Ysgol Clywedog, a secondary school with around 780 pupils.
North Wales Police has boosted its presence in the area to reassure parents and local residents. However the force said the shooting is “not being treated as a targeted attack”.
Worried parents flooded social media with concern after receiving an advisory email from the school on Friday afternoon, May 1. It informed parents an “incident” occurred shortly after 2pm when a year 11 pupil was “hit with a pellet fired from outside the school”.
Several questioned why the school had not been placed in lockdown. Others wanted to know why they hadn’t been informed before their children had been allowed to walk home unaccompanied with the perpetrator still at large.
The 16-year-old pupil was leaving the school’s astro-turf pitch when he was struck by a pellet at 2.10pm. He was treated by first aiders at the school.
Appealing for witnesses, Superintendent Mark Williams said “progressive enquiries” were ongoing to identify the offender, who was not on the school’s grounds at the time of the incident.
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Sports fields at Ysgol Clywedog(Image: Google)
Superintendent Williams said: “While this was a concerning incident that understandably caused alarm locally, it is not being treated as a targeted attack, and we are working with the school to understand the circumstances of the incident.
“Enquiries are underway to identify the offender, and you may see an increased policing presence in the area for reassurance purposes.”
Headteacher Simon Ellis said the police were called and arrived at school in under 10 minutes. It is understood they remained on site until after the school had closed.
The school assured parents it would be keeping pupils away from the area where the shooting happened for the time being. It is believed some parents have kept their children off school this morning.
In the wake of the incident, parents have raised safeguarding concerns. It is understood on-site risk assessments were taken by school staff and police officers.
A Wrexham Council spokesperson said: “Working in liaison with the police, the area was secured and no pupils permitted near to the area.
“Following a further search of the area, the police supported the school in allowing all to leave the school safely.”
However, parents have demanded to know why the advisory email wasn’t sent until 3.40pm, 90 minutes after the shooting and after the end of the school day. A council review is reportedly underway.
Headteacher Simon Ellis added: “I’d like to thank the police for their quick and supportive action. I cannot understand why anyone would think to do such a thing.”
Superintendent Mark Williams wants to hear from witnesses. He said: “I am asking anyone with information, or anyone who was travelling in the area of the school shortly before 2pm on Friday 1 May, and has dashcam footage, to make contact with us.”
Anyone with information can contact North Wales Police via the force website, or by calling 101. The reference number is O066390.