Gunman shot by police near school in Leicestershire

Armed police rushed to a school in Leicestershire after reports of a nearby man pointing a rifle at children.

Images of the man leaning against a wall near Rawlins Academy in the small town of Quorn were shared on social media, with warnings to stay away from the area.

It is not known whether the weapon was a compressed air rifle or a more lethal firearm. In a tweet to Leicestershire police, one of the parents demanded to know what was going on, adding: ‘My son is locked in a room and they tell him to stay away from the windows.’

Video footage shows police dogs barking as officers fire a less lethal projectile at the man, arresting him as he lies in the middle of the road.

A school receptionist told Metro.co.uk that everyone was safe at the school and thanked the police for their response.

She said: ‘Everything has been fixed by the police. Everyone is safe and was treated very well. ”

A resident who lives near the scene told Leicestershire Live: ‘There was some screaming on the street and I looked outside.

‘There was a man with a bare top who was carrying what appeared to be a rifle, I have no idea if it was an air rifle or a real pistol.

“ He was pointing at people and yelling threats. At one point, the guy was pointing the rifle at the Co-op store, but staff managed to close the doors to protect customers.

Leicestershire police said officers were called shortly after noon to report a man carrying a long-barreled firearm in the small village near Loughborough.

The force said the man was reported to be walking through the area and pointing the gun at people, including children.

After armed police shot him down with a rubber bullet, the East Midlands ambulance service was called in for a search.

Paramedics said he suffered bruises on his arm, but no serious injuries. The 50-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with the intent to endanger life and is currently in custody.

The road remains cordoned off while investigators conduct inquiries and try to reassure members of the community.

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