Boy in hospital with gunshot wound to head

A schoolboy was in a serious condition in hospital today after being carried from his home with a gunshot wound to the head.

Armed police cordoned off the street as paramedics carried the teenager, named locally as Louis Hole, 15, of Hawthorne Avenue, Newport, south Wales, out on a stretcher.

Residents were warned to keep inside as officers went on to arrest a 50-year-old man.

Gwent Police were called to the address in the Somerton area of the city at around 4.20pm yesterday.

A spokesman said: "A 50-year-old man from the Newport area has been arrested in connection with an incident that happened on Tuesday March 2 where a teenager suffered a gunshot wound in the Somerton area of Newport.

"Officers attended and found a 15-year-old boy alone in the house, who was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital with a head injury.

"The boy has been transferred to the University Hospital of Wales, where he is described as being in a serious condition.

"The circumstances of how he received the wound remain unclear at this time.

"The 50-year-old man remains in police custody being questioned. Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident at this time."

Family liaison officers are supporting the boy's family, and a major incident team is carrying out inquiries to establish what happened.

"Officers remain in the area of the incident and are liaising with members of the community," the spokesman added.

"Anyone who has any information that could help the investigation or who has any concerns is encouraged to speak to officers in the locality or call Gwent Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."

Neighbours today named the family at the address as the boy's father Michael Hole, aged about 50, mother Edwina, and sister Leah, 10.

Irene Flage, 80, who lives next door, said they were very quiet, unassuming neighbours.

"They keep themselves to themselves. They are not the type of people who gossip, but they would say hello to you in the street," she said.

"They've only lived here about two years. I think they moved here from the Always area."

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said armed police cordoned off the street yesterday afternoon and told residents to stay inside.

Paramedics were later seen carrying out a person on a stretcher, assumed to be the teenager, who had a bandaged head.

Several witnesses said the person on the stretcher appeared to be conscious.

Police sniffer dogs were later brought to the scene and the Gwent force helicopter was seen hovering over the location.

Residents living around the semi-detached homes in Hawthorne Avenue all spoke of their shock at what happened.

One said: "I've lived here for 45 years and it has always been a very quiet area.

"I was shocked to hear what has happened. Everyone is shocked."