A gunman brandishing an AIR RIFLE shot eight children outside a school in Scotland today – sparking fears of another chilling Dunblane massacre.
The high school children, believed to be from the 1,000-pupil Auchinleck Academy, in Auchinleck, Ayrshire, suffered minor injuries in the attack in nearby Church Street.
Police and paramedics rushed to the scene at 1.35pm and the injured were all taken to nearby Crosshouse Hospital – but only one pupil was detained for further treatment.
Strathclyde Police are at the scene carrying out extensive enquiries into the incident, but have not yet made any arrests.
A spokeswoman from East Ayrshire Council confirmed the incident had not taken place on school grounds.
She added: ”We can confirm that there was an incident in Auchinleck today.
”The school responded immediately, informing the police and parents of the children involved, and sought appropriate medical attention.
”The Council is working closely with the school to ensure that the school, the children and their families are appropriately supported.”
Initial reports of a gunman on the loose sparked fears of the horrific Dunblane massacre 15 years ago.
Thomas Hamilton murdered 16 children and one adult with a handgun, before turning the weapon on himself, in the Scottish city of Dunblane on March 13, 1996.
