Residents react to the shooting

Story by Rob Smith

10am on Thursday 18th October, Burngreave Nottingham Cliff and Andover Street is saturated with uniformed bodies, armed response units, TV and members of the Press.

At about 10.45am a press conference was held by Chief Superintendent Jon House Commander in Chief on behalf of South Yorkshire police, who spoke of the investigation now taking place. He stated that many people have come forward with information to help catch those responsible for the previous night's shootings.

When asked if he believed this was rival gang warfare Jon claimed to be only aware of two shooting incidents in the city within 24 hours of the main incident, including the fatal incident itself. Jon added that he believed Sheffield was still one of the safest cities in the country.

I spoke to more local people living in and around Nottingham Cliff, some of whom are in shock and others who until now, not fully aware of what has actually taken place on their own doorstep.

A local shopkeeper on Fox Street explained his sadness at what happened adding that he often saw the boy concerned, who had regularly visited his shop premises. “The lad was always well behaved and I never saw him in particular causing any real problems. He wasn't a real trouble maker just in the wrong place with the wrong people at the wrong time,” he added. “There is also real issues here I hear the youths talking and their mentality of grouping into what's called area code gangs and it's all wrong. The problem here is that the youths are infighting with each other and it is no good.”

“I never heard a thing,” explained Mr Laver who lives close by and is shocked by the news. Another local couple living near the shop explained all they knew was that a local lad had been shot in the head. “He was a polite kid,” they both added. For them the real issue also revolved around the safety of their own children, who where out playing on the recreation park only moments before this incident took place.

Local resident Patrica Love of Nottingham Cliff said she'd heard nothing but is now really shocked and saddened that this has happened here.

Another local elderly resident said she did not hear anything either but explained not being shocked or surprised. “This has been brewing up for some time,” she added.

Local mother Diane Johnson was taking her two sons to school and on her way to university when I asked if she was aware of what had taken place on Wednesday night. Diane and her family where shocked and surprised. The eldest son like many others knew the victim and expressed his deep shock, and sadness concerning what has happened.

“I want to add my sympathy to the mother and family,” said Diane. Aware like many others here that this is the result of youths in fighting in a tit for tat war, Diane like many others amongst us asks, “When and where is it all going to stop?”