A police cordon is in place this morning after a man was shot by an armed gang on the outskirts of Leeds City Centre, last night.

The shooting took place at 6.30pm on Wednesday 9 May, when the victim was stationary at traffic lights in a BMW vehicle on Burmantofts Street.

A silver Mazda 3 forced its way through traffic before pulling alongside the BMW.

Three black males donned in balaclavas then exited the Mazda vehicle – two armed with machetes or bats.

The group then began attacking the vehicle before one of the three produced what is believed to be a handgun.

This was then fired at the victim, who was sitting in the front passenger seat of the BMW.

All three men left the scene in the Mazda which, in its attempt to get away, reversed into a member of the public’s car, causing damage. The car then made off down St Mary’s Street.

It was later found abandoned and burned out on Davies Avenue, Roundhay.

The gunshot victim was taken to St James’s Hospital with a wound to his shoulder. The injury was classed only as minor and he was treated and promptly released.

Following his release, the victim was subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession of firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and is currently in custody.

Police have sealed off the area surrounding Burmantofts Street to undergo forensic examination.

Detective Inspector Andy Farrell, of West Yorkshire Police Firearms Prevent Team, said: “We believe this has been a targeted attack on the victim. The criminal use of firearms on the streets is always something that we treat very seriously and we are currently carrying out extensive enquiries to identify those responsible and to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident.

“We recognise the scene we have in place on a main commuter route will be causing significant disruption to the public and to the hospital site but we are doing everything we can to minimise that and to process the scene as quickly as possible while ensuring we gather all necessary evidence.

“We have already spoken to a number of witnesses but we would still like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation.

“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in Davies Avenue, Roundhay, where the silver Mazda 3 was abandoned and set on fire.

“We appreciate that incidents of this nature will cause understandable concern to the public but we are keen to reassure people that we have specialist officers who are working to identify those involved and take appropriate action. We are also liaising with our colleagues in the local neighbourhood policing team who will be increasing their presence in the area to reassure people.”