Police charge men with firearm offences after Great Horton incident

POLICE have charged two men with firearms offences after seizing a crossbow and BB gun.

West Yorkshire Police were called to reports of a shooting at 7.11pm on Wednesday evening in the Great Horton area of Bradford. 

Officers, including armed personnel, rushed to a building that was reportedly shot at in Great Horton Road and arrested four men in the vicinity, after help from the police helicopter.

A police cordon was put in place covering a snicket between Great Horton Road and Pleasant Street.

It was also stretched along the wall outside the Cornerstone Methodist and United Reformed Church building which is currently up for sale and runs alongside the snicket.

The police scene which stretched along the wall outside the Cornerstone Methodist and United Reformed Church building, in Great Horton Road, and covered a snicket leading through to Pleasant Street (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

A spokesperson for the force revealed this morning that Alsafy Konnen, 18, of Tamar Street, in the Canterbury area of Bradford has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon and possession of an imitation firearm in a public place.

A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons relating to his age, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

The spokesperson added: "A number of weapons have been seized by police which included a crossbow, a BB Gun and blank-firing ammunition, drugs were also seized."

The investigation found that a firearm had not been discharged.

A 20-year-old and 17-year-old - both men - have been bailed on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Konnen and the 17-year-old who has been charged have been remanded to appear at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court today.

Members of the community spoke yesterday of their shock at what had happened, with one person's neighbour saying they "heard banging and thought it was fireworks".

Full statement from West Yorkshire Police

"Two people have been charged with firearms offences after an incident on Great Horton Road on Wednesday 24 April.  

"Alsafy Konnen, 18 of Tamar Street has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon and possession of an imitation firearm in a public place and a 17 year old male who can’t be named for legal reasons has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.  

"A 20 and 17-year-old male have been bailed on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.  

"The two males charged have been remanded to appear at Bradford Magistrates court today (26 April) 

"The investigation found that no firearm had been discharged.  

"A number of weapons have been seized by Police which included a crossbow, a BB Gun and blank-firing ammunition, drugs were also seized. 

"Enquiries remain ongoing by Bradford’s Precision Team."