The night before, a shot had hit the Birch Green area “like a firework”. A moment of extreme violence has left a man in hospital and residents of Skelmersdale terrified. Afterwards, locals told LancsLive it was carrying on as normal. However, the incident hung like a dark cloud over the neighborhood. Many expressed concern for the victim of the alleged shooting. One said they now felt they had no choice but to leave. READ MORE: Everything we know after Skelmersdale rocked by skate park shooting Just after 6pm on Wednesday (November 9), one of the first people on the scene said how the male – in his 30s – had been abandoned in the company of strangers. Apparently acquaintances fled on bicycles, leaving him with the words: “Watch him.” The eyewitness, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, told LancsLive: “I was standing in the doorway when two lads came down on bikes and I heard someone shouting. I heard a sound like fireworks. Cordon in place after a man was shot in Skelmersdale (Image: James Maloney/LancsLive) “I went outside and they were shouting, he was shot. There was a man on the ground with blood from the waist down, we tried to pick him up. Then his companions said, watch him, they jumped on the bike and left.” The incident happened near a skate park on Birch Green Road at around 6.11pm. Several surrounding roads were closed immediately afterwards. Police confirmed they were called to a suspected firearms discharge and a man, aged in his 30s, was found with a leg injury and taken to hospital. Initially a cordon was placed around the skate park. This cord has now been reduced, but a small triangle of grass is still attached. Police at the scene have also set up a large cordon in part of Fairhaven, where they appear to be concentrating with sniffer dogs now at the scene. Another resident. who again did not want to be named, said: “A man was on his bike and he was shot. It’s awful, it’s embarrassing and I’m scared. It makes you want to move.” A passer-by who was accompanying two school children said: “It’s terrible, especially for the children walking in front. I just hope the man who was injured is OK.” Another local resident, walking his dog, added: “It’s awful, I’m not happy with what happened.” No arrests have been made at this time, but police inquiries are ongoing. The shooting is being treated as an isolated incident and police presence will be increased in the area. Cordon in place after a man was shot in Skelmersdale (Image: James Maloney/LancsLive) Officers are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dash cam footage to come forward. A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “We are appealing for witnesses, CCTV and dash cam footage following a suspected firearms discharge in Skelmersdale. We were called to Birch Green Road, Skelmersdale at 6.11pm tonight (Wednesday, November 9) . “A man, aged in his 30s, was found with a leg injury and was taken to hospital to be treated for those injuries. The area around the skate park has been cordoned off while we investigate. “So far no arrests have been made and inquiries are ongoing. Although this is being treated as an isolated incident, we appreciate it will be of concern to the local community, but there will be an increased police presence in the area and anyone with concerns is welcome to speak to an officer.” “Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting log number 1128 of 9 November 2022.” READ NEXT:
