Father was SHOT while he cradled his newborn baby daughter

A new dad suffered gunshot wounds after being shot  while he cradled his newborn BABY daughter, police revealed yesterday.

The unnamed victim, in his 40s, was shot through the window of his home while holding the six-day-old girl at around 10.45pm last Thursday.

A 19-year-old man was arrested in connection with the shooting, although he has been released without charge by police.

The man, was rushed to hospital from his home in Hollywood, Worcs., before being treated for a bullet wound in his foot and then released later.

After the shooting, a black Vauxhall Astra was found burnt out which police believe may have been linked to the violence.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Marsden, of West Mercia Police, said: “The victim was on a sofa holding his very young baby when two shots were fired through the window, one hitting him in the foot.

“We do not know if the offender was aware of the baby but we hope that by revealing these details, anyone who may have been reluctant to come forward with information will realise the clear potential for a tragedy and understand that it is imperative we find whoever was responsible.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the
Lee Road area, as well as anyone who was in the Peterbrook Road area of Shirley, where a black Vauxhall Astra, believed to be linked to the shooting, was found burned out at about 11.15pm.

“Shootings are very rare in North Worcestershire, and we have a dedicated team of officers who are working extremely hard on this case.

“We would like to reiterate that we believe it was a targeted attack on a specific address and not a random incident but nevertheless we understand it has been alarming for the local community and high visibility patrols are being carried out in the area as a reassurance measure.”

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.