Teenager is shot in head with air rifle

A 19-YEAR-OLD was critically ill in hospital last night after being shot in the head with an air rifle.

Three people have been arrested following the shooting on a housing estate.

Emergency crews were called to a house after reports of an injured man inside the property.

The victim, who has not been named, was treated at the scene for a head injury before being taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

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Now detectives are trying to establish if the air rifle was fired by accident.

The drama unfolded in Moorhouse Avenue, Alsager, at 8.50pm on Sunday.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "Emergency services attended an address in Moorhouse Avenue following a report of a man needing treatment for a wound caused by an air rifle.

"Police arrived to discover a 19-year-old man being treated for a head injury by paramedics.

"He was later taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire where he was last night in a critical but stable condition.

"It is believed the incident took place inside the address."

North West Ambulance Service confirmed it had been called out to the incident. A spokesman said: "We received a call at 8.53pm to attend Moorhouse Avenue in Alsager. We took a man from a private address to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire."

Police arrested a 20-year-old man, who has not been named but lives in the Alsager area, at the scene of the shooting. He was last night being questioned on suspicion of wounding with intent.

Two 18-year-olds – a man and a woman – were later arrested in connection with removing the firearm.

The man, who lives in Alsager, was last night being questioned on suspicion of helping to dispose of the air rifle.

The woman, who lives in Rode Heath, was also being questioned on suspicion of helping to dispose of the air rifle, as well as claims she perverted the course of justice.

Residents have been left stunned by the shooting.

Town Councillor Doris Burgess, who lives in nearby Meads Road, said: "If someone has been shot in the head that would be very nasty. It's worrying to hear this has happened."

A shopworker said: "I heard they were messing about with a gun and it went badly wrong."