Gunshots were fired at a Sheffield home while young children slept upstairs on Wednesday night.
Police officers were immediately sent to Gresley Road in the Lowedges area after neighbours reported hearing gunfire outside.
Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Slater said: “This was a terrifying and worrying incident and it was only by luck that nobody was injured as a result of this reckless and irresponsible behaviour.”
Some of the children present in the house targeted were under 10, and police say they could have been seriously injured if they had not been asleep at the time. Bullet holes could be seen in the downstairs windows of the building.
DCI Slater said: “To think that innocent children could have been caught in the crossfire of this is beyond our comprehension and I want the public to know that we are working relentlessly to find the perpetrator of this awful crime.”
The shooter has not been found as of yet, and police are urging people in the area to send them any CCTV footage or information they may have to help with enquiries.
DCI Slater said that gun crime would not be tolerated, and that the person responsible for this horrific attack would be dealt with by the full force of the law.
The family targeted have been offered support, and the area where the shots took place has been cordoned off for a forensic investigation with the situation being treated as a suspected attempted murder.
Highly visible patrols will be taking place in the area over the following days as a proactive measure and to reassure members of the community.
Inspector Nik Dodsworth reassured residents in the Lowedges area. He said: “We understand news of this firearms discharge will have generated considerable concern in the local community and we want residents to know that we are here to support them in the aftermath of this incident.”
As this is an ongoing investigation, South Yorkshire Police have asked people to send them relevant footage from between 10pm and 11pm from doorbell cameras, CCTV, or dashcam footage to enquiries@southyorks.pnn.police.uk or to report it anonymously to Crimestoppers.
Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 or by submitting an online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
