Neighbours of Lechlade Shooting Recall Hearing Bangs as Gunman Attacked

Residents of Butler’s Field in Lechlade were left shaken after a man in his 30s was shot while sitting in his stationary vehicle yesterday evening. The incident, which occurred around 7:10pm, prompted swift police action and heightened tension across the normally quiet Cotswolds community.

Witnesses initially mistook the sound of gunfire for fireworks or car backfiring. Coren Hinder, a mother of three, recalled how her children were terrified by the loud bangs. “We heard the gunshots and just stayed inside. My eight-year-old was really scared—I’ve been trying to reassure them that we’re safe here,” she said. Other neighbours described hearing multiple shots and witnessing police quickly securing the area.

The victim, who suffered multiple suspected gunshot wounds, managed to drive a short distance before seeking refuge inside a nearby home. He was subsequently rushed to hospital, where his condition remains serious but stable.

Gloucestershire Police apprehended a man in his 20s in nearby Fairford shortly before 10pm on suspicion of attempted murder. Officers recovered a firearm at the scene and confirmed the individuals involved were known to each other. The suspect attempted to flee in a vehicle but was forced on foot after colliding with parked cars.

Today, police continue to maintain an enhanced presence in the area, with marked vehicles, officers conducting searches using metal detectors, and support from police dogs. The force has also referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to prior contact with those involved.

Neighbours expressed strong feelings of unease given the rarity of such events in their community. One resident reflected, “It’s so quiet around here—this was a real shock. Having police here is a comfort.”

The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the impact violent crime can have even in peaceful neighbourhoods.