A girl has been shot with an airgun in a racially aggravated attack in Bristol.
The victim, nine, was hit around 1.30pm in Chakeshill Drive in Brentry, a suburb about three miles north of the city centre, on September 2.
The offender, described as a white teenager, shot at the girl three times with pellets while saying racial slurs.
He was said to be around 17-18 years old, 5’11”, with dark blonde hair, a slim face and wearing a ‘distinctive’ blue padded coat.
The teen was also riding a black electric scooter with white writing.
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A second person is believed to have been involved in the incident, the force said.
The girl was not seriously injured during the attack but was left sore.
In the weeks since, the youngster has been ‘too frightened to leave the house’, the police said, adding that she is ‘traumatised’.
Police officials referred the girl and her family to Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI), a local anti-racism charity.
Racially aggravated assaults are one of the highest reported types of hate crimes in the UK – 109,823 took place in 2022, up 19% from the year before.
Chief Inspector Keith Smith said: ‘This is a deeply troubling incident targeting a young child and we understand the impact this has had, not only on the victim and their family but also the wider community.
‘Officers are actively pursuing lines of enquiry and there will continue to be reassurance patrols in the area.
‘We would also like to stress that at this time we do believe this to be an isolated incident and would encourage anyone with pertinent information to come forward.’
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