Girl, 9, shot in 'racially aggravated' broad daylight attack in UK city

A young girl has been shot in the street in what police believe to be a "racially aggravated attack".

The nine-year-old victim was hit with an airgun around 1.30pm in Chakeshill Drive, Brentry, Bristol. The girl was shot three times by pellets but police said she did not suffer serious injuries although she has been left traumatised. The incident is being treated as a racially aggravated attack, and is thought to involve two people.

Avon and Somerset Police are seeking a white male, aged 17-18 years old, roughly 5ft 11ins tall, with dark blonde hair and a slim face. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a distinctive blue padded coat and was riding a black electric scooter with white writing.

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After the girl was shot, a racial comment was made. The force has said it is investigating the incident and are supporting the victim and her family.

A statement said: "We are appealing for information after a child was reported to have been shot with an airgun in what is being treated as a racially aggravated assault.

"The incident, which involved a nine-year-old girl, happened at around 1.30pm in Chakeshill Drive, Brentry, Bristol on Thursday 2 September.

"The offender has been described as a white male, estimated to be 17-18 years old, around 5ft 11in, with dark blonde hair, a slim face, who was wearing a distinctive blue padded coat and riding a black electric scooter with white writing.

"The girl was hit three times by a pellet which caused soreness but no serious injury during the incident, which is thought to have involved a second offender. A racial comment was also made during the incident, and she has been left traumatised and is now too frightened to leave the house."

Police are also appealing to the public for information. Anyone who witnessed what happened, or who has information which may assist the police, is asked to contact the force on 101.

The statement by the force continued: "We have launched an investigation into the incident, are supporting the victim and her family, and have referred them to Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI) for support. CCTV and house-to-house enquiries have been carried out.

"We are now appealing for any witnesses and those with dashcam, CCTV, or doorbell footage of the incident, or the moments leading up to it immediately afterwards, to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 5225247677, or complete our online appeals form."