Man blasts crossbow into pedestrian's leg as police launch manhunt for shooter

14 February 2024 , 19:35

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The victim was approached by a man on Victoria Street, Gillingham, Kent when he was attacked with a crossbow (Image: Google Maps)

Police are hunting a man who fired a crossbow at a man on a quiet street.

The victim was walking along a street in Gillingham, Kent, when he was approached by a man and reportedly shot with the small, black weapon. The crossbow hit his leg leaving him in agony.

The attack occurred on Thursday last week and left the victim in hospital, although he has since been discharged. Kent Police said they were now hunting witnesses to the horrifying attack as they claimed the weapon would have been out on display as it was too big to conceal.

PC Stuart Drakeley of Swale’s Criminal Investigation Department said: "We do believe that the offender will have been walking in the area and it is likely that the crossbow would have been visible as it was too big to conceal in a bag. We also believe that the suspect and victim are known to each other.

"We want to talk to anyone with information who might have been in the area between 3pm and 7pm. Anyone with CCTV footage or dashcam footage should also contact us." Anyone with information should contact Kent Police quoting reference 46/22545/24.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

It comes after a man was killed in a police shooting last month following reports he'd tried to break into a home in South London wielding a crossbow. Bryce Hodgson was reportedly wearing body armour and carrying a number of other weapons when he was shot by the Met's armed unit at Surrey Quays in Southwark on January 30.

Convicted stalker Hodgson, 30, died from gunshots to his neck following the confrontation. The incident has been voluntarily referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Susie Beever