Overview
- A firearm was discharged once in Market Place, Braintree, at about 10.10pm on Monday 31 August and three people were taken to hospital with injuries that are not thought to be life‑threatening.
- Essex Police say the attack was targeted between groups who know each other and four males were seen leaving the scene as officers work to identify them.
- A 16‑year‑old boy was arrested and remains in custody while specialist detectives conduct forensic searches and review hours of CCTV and dashcam footage.
- Two teenage boys suffered potentially serious facial injuries and are receiving treatment while a third victim, a man, has injuries that are not considered serious.
- Large cordons and business closures disrupted the town centre on Tuesday and police warn the probe — now linked to suspected drug dealing — could produce further arrests and affect market activity.