TWO children were rushed to hospital after being shot in a "shocking" daytime attack in Wolverhampton.
Emergency services raced to a residential area in Bushbury at about 3pm yesterday after reports of gunshots.
There they found a 15-year-old boy with a bullet wound to his leg, and an 11-year-old girl with similar injuries in a park nearby.
The children were quickly taken to hospital and today they remain there in a stable condition.
Police said after the youngsters were shot, two cars were "reported in a chase", and one of the vehicles was found dumped not far from the scene.
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The Shelley Road area remains cordoned off today while police continue probing the horror attack.
The headteacher of nearby Elston Hall Primary School, which backs onto the play area, sent a letter to parents after the shooting.
She wrote: "You may be aware that there has been a serious incident on the Shelley Road park at the rear of school today.
"This has caused a huge amount of shock and upset to our school community and in particular the families involved.
"I have been in contact with the police this evening who have informed me that school can open tomorrow but the Shelley Road carpark will be closed.
"Staff will be on hand tomorrow to provide support for children if they need it. Thank you for your understanding."
West Midlands Police said: "We understand that shortly after the shots were fired two cars, a suspected stolen black Mini and a grey Ford Focus, were reported in a chase in the Bushbury area.
"We later found the Mini abandoned in Third Avenue and it has been seized for forensic opportunities.
"We’re conducting quick-time investigations with officers making house-to-house enquiries and CCTV footage is being retrieved and reviewed."
They said patrols were being carried out in the area today, adding: "Our officers are also liaising with partners in local schools as we understand how upsetting an incident like this can be.
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"We know it is shocking, especially in a residential area, and it is a priority for us to establish what happened and who is responsible.
"We'd ask anyone who was in the Bushbury area yesterday afternoon to check their dashcam and doorbell footage as they may be able to assist with our on-going enquiries."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via Live Chat on the force's website or call 101, quoting investigation 20/393687/23.
