Attempted murder arrests over air rifle shooting

Three people have been arrested, two on suspicion of attempted murder, after a woman was reported to have been shot with an air rifle in Barnsley.

Officers were called to Windsor Street, Thurnscoe, at 21:50 BST on Tuesday to reports of a person with a suspected firearm, according to South Yorkshire Police.

A woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries and remained in a stable but life-threatening condition, a force spokesperson said.

A woman, 26, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder, while on Wednesday a man, 28, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a man, 37, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, with all three still in custody, they said.

An air rifle was recovered from the scene and the force helicopter was used to search for a suspect.

A cordon remained in place at the scene on Wednesday and officers were continuing their inquiries, the spokesperson said.

Det Insp Claire Moss, from South Yorkshire Police, said: "The thoughts of all those involved in this investigation remain with the victim and her family in the wake of such a vicious attack.

"I am thankful for the work of the first officers at the scene and emergency services staff who provided essential and immediate medical care to the victim."

Moss said police were carrying out detailed inquiries "to get a better understanding of the circumstances which resulted in the victim being seriously injured".

Anyone who saw what happened, or who had any information which might assist officers' inquiries, should get in touch, she said.

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