Reports of a BB gun being fired from the window of a moving car led to the deployment of Armed Response Officers to Ryde last night (Monday).
At around 22:30, Police received reports that a weapon was being fired toward members of the public from a silver Ford Fiesta.
It’s said that the vehicle had proceeded down Union Street and along the Esplanade, where the weapon hit 2 young girls standing in the vicinity of the taxi rank – 1 of them suffering bruising as a result.
Island Echo understands that other members of the public were also hit as the car – which had a number of young males on board – drove past. Another victim is said to have been elderly and was struck in the head, drawing blood.
It’s also claimed that a young woman and others at a bus stop in Sandown were shot at last night.
An unmarked Armed Response Vehicle eventually stopped the suspect car at Marymead Close, off Simeon Street in Ryde, and a number of arrests were made.
Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed that 4 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
A 20-year-old man from Ryde, an 18-year-old man from Ryde, a 19-year-old man from Newport and a 17-year-old girl from Ryde have been arrested on suspicion of:
- Possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place
- Possession of a controlled drug of Class B – Cannabis
- Possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm
In addition, the 19-year-old man from Newport was arrested on suspicion of drug driving.
All 4 remain in custody at this time.
A spokesperson for the Force has said:
”We are aware from our initial enquiries that more people have been hurt by BB pellets during this incident and are keen to hear from them along with any other witnesses.
“Anyone with information should call us on 101 or report online, quoting 44220320968”.
What idiotic yobs they could have blinded someone.
Not a case for lenient sentences.
Jail the lot.
I’m sure our illustrious magistrates will find some reason to give them a very lenient punishment.
Unlikely. Almost certainly will be tried in a Crown Court and is very likely to result in a custodial sentence if convicted.
Sentencing guidelines are from a medium community sentence to 9 years in prison depending on aggravating factors. The fact that they almost certainly intended to maximise fear, it was a group activity, it was a prolonged incident and a imitation firearm was actually discharged mean this offence is Cat A for culpability and as physical and psychological harm was caused its a minimum of Cat 2 for harm.
That’s 1 to 4 years with a starting point of 2.
And that’s just for Possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Wouldn’t it have been good if armed response had just shot them.
What possessed them to do something like this.Its not like it’s they are kids messing around they are adults and I hope they are grateful that they are alive today.
No, it wouldn’t, though they certainly risked it if they encountered an ARV.
Killing someone isn’t something that can be done lightly by an officer who can be trusted to carry a firearm, and finding out that the person you killed had a BB gun can have severe implications on the officer involved.
that a dump that island its becoming we moved to the mainland best thing we did. all the news seems to be around drugs
I never thought I would see the day I would agree with you but I have never known the island to be so bad.
Well glad you did move .But you can’t leave it with out posting comments are you bitter
Like to see what i am missing. what has bitter to do with it
Of course, there is no violence, no drugs, no guns, no knives on the mainland is there? You can leave your front door ajar whilst you go shopping on the mainland, can’t you.
OMG! What’s wrong with these brainless articles! They are useless to society, wish we could have them put down!
This filth need jail for a long long time. For no doubt, sick rubbish like this would use any type of gun or weapon to hurt, blind or kill if they know they can get away with a just a fine.
This sort of thing needs stamping out now, as when the usual suspects arrive and fill our estates it will be common place.
Priceless – this is a real drive by shooting – doesn’t matter if it was a BB gun – that woman was hit in the head and it drew blood
they deserve to go down for life, as they would in the USA – LWOPP – life without the possibility of parole
Smoke weed every day
more low life scum will be along soon
Let’s hope common sense prevails and these idiots get the right sentence – jail time. No messing about no slap on the wrist as this idiotic behaviour could easily have blinded someone. A short sharp shock is needed.
Send them to Rwanda. I’m sure they would be crying, “I want my mummy”.
Throw the damn book at these dangerous individuals, but probably only get a warning /caution.
The fact it’s only after so many are hurt that the police show is terrible. They should be charged with a fire arms offence and be jailed. Next time they may decide to use a real gun.
Maybe if we had a few police on foot it would have been stopped sooner.
The police are still yet to deal the 125cc biker gang terrorising road users in Ryde. Jumping traffic lights, undertaking down the high street, not stopping at pedestrian crossings, doing wheelies, holding their throttle wide open at the traffic lights and riding up and down St Johns hill as fast as they can. Only one of the six I saw last night had road tax and MOT.
No he’s not I ride a motorcycle and these twats are giving us a bad name they don’t give a shit about nobody ride like idiots
Do something about Dominoes Pizza delivery riders while they’re at it as well
Welcome to the Isle of Scumbags, more Scumbags will be along soon….
Throw the book at the hateful little sh**s menaces to society
More scum will be along in.a minute
Trouble with island vermin is they all think they’re top of the tree.
Go take a walk amongst the real ‘hard’ folk of this world.
Youl be crying out for mummy in no time.
Ahh Bless them.They only having a bit of fun.
Throw the book at these dangerous individuals!!! Probably only get a slap on the wrist as usual.
This is utterly outrageous. These brainless morons have been watching too many films of ‘drive by’ shootings. This is the IOW, not LA! In God’s name start getting tough with these stupid kids won’t you Judges. They could have blinded someone with that bloody BB gun. These things should be banned. They are not a toy.
What the hell is happening to this beautiful place
Holiday makers will be thinking twice coming here soon with so much happening in ryde especially
Idiots want heavy fines.
Will they never learn.
Army conscription would be good.
National Service would sort a lot of them out, discipline or rather self discipline is something most of these kids lack.
Yes, lets train wannabe gangstas how to use real guns to kill people.
It is a fact, whether you like it or not, that ex-servicemen in combat roles are 50% more likely then the general population to commit acts of violence and almost all countries that introduce conscription see an increase in violent crime. A study in Sweden showed a increase in convictions of 32%
Conscription should be part of the fine !
When they get sent down, their fellow prisoners might like to know they shot a granny in the head…
I’m sure they’ll have a wonderful time.
parents must be so proud
Why did the police not just shoot them. They certainly would not be missed by anyone especially parents who don’t give a toss about their children!, In the holidays they should be put in labour camps out of the way from the public !,,,,
Nice catch !! I wonder if they were they same four that were tombstoning off Ryde Pier the other day ?? More bad parenting… like.. do you know what your 17 year old daughter is doing ?? Actually not… and next we will hear, ‘ Oh my sweet little girl would never touch drugs !’ Obviously !!
Sad to see whats happened to the IoW. Im from South London and used to holiday there once a year, and considered moving there later in life, but it seems as if even the IoW isnt immune to idiotic, feral youths