Shooting at parish karate club

A pair of masked gunmen are being hunted by detectives today after spraying bullets at a group of people leaving a Karate class inside a church hall.

As a 48-year-old martial arts students left the parish club, he was hit twice in the legs in an attack the police believe was 'targeted.'

After the class at the Garston Methodist church hall in Liverpool, a silver car screeched to a halt outside and two men jumped out with one firing off the rounds with a handgun.

Witnesses say the victim was shot in the calf and right foot and he dropped to the floor, screaming in pain and bleeding heavily, the pair got back into the car and sped off.

The victim from Hale Village, was rushed to hospital where his injuries are said to be serious but not life-threatening.

It is believed the shooting on Island Road, could be linked to a neighbourhood dispute.

A Merseyside police spokesman said: "The motive for the shooting is not yet known, but detectives believe this to be a targeted incident.

"Merseyside Police believe there were at least two offenders who were in a silver car, possibly a SAAB.

"The scene was cordoned off for forensic examinations and house-to- house inquiries have begun."