THE shooting of a pensioner which police believe may have been a ‘targeted attack’ has left residents of a quiet street in shock and disbelief.
Police were called to Westfield Crescent, Thurnscoe, on Wednesday night following reports that a 69-year-old man had suffered a gunshot wound to his arm.
He was taken to hospital where his condition was described yesterday as ‘serious but stable’.
A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and he is currently in custody.( Residents of Westfield Crescent have described their shock on what they called a ‘nice street where everyone keeps themselves to themselves’.
Sander Royers said: “We were shocked when we heard about the shooting. We moved over from Coventry and we have had no trouble living here. We’ve never had antisocial behaviour or anything.
“To hear that this has happened on our doorstep is a shock. Me and my wife couldn’t believe it.”
Another resident who asked not to be named said: “I’ve lived here for 60 odd years and we’ve never had any trouble.
“Everyone keeps themselves to themselves. Years ago I could walk up and down this street and I could tell you who lived where but it’s not like that now. I look out for my neighbour across the street who has lived here several years because she’s on her own and so am I - but that’s it.
“I couldn’t believe it when I was told something had happened on my street, we’ve never had anything.”
Another added: “I thought it was a rumour at first because it’s alarming to hear what happened. This street is usually very quiet and we’ve never had any trouble. It’s not nice when things like this happen on your doorstep.
Det Chf Insp Paul Murphy, crime manager for Barnsley, said: “Following immediate enquiries carried out on Wednesday night into yesterday morning, we arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder. (
“Our officers remained in the area yesterday, to provide reassurance and carry out vital enquiries to piece together exactly what happened. ( While the investigation is in the early stages, we do believe it could have been a targeted attack. ( If you have any information, you can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Please quote incident 989 of June 19.”
