Man arrested over Warcop Farm shooting released on bail by police

Emergency services were called to the property near the A66 north of Warcop, Cumbria, at around 2.50pm on Saturday.

Police recovered a firearm at the scene and the child was taken to hospital in a rescue helicopter.

Police on site. (Image: FRANK CHALMERS) He died overnight from injuries to his head and face.

A man in his 60s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault.

He was taken into police custody and later held on suspicion of gross negligent homicide.

The man was later released on bail while police continued their investigation.

Aerial images show farmland off the A66 in Warcop, Cumbria, where police arrived after an eight-year-old boy suffered gunshot wounds. (Image: SWNS) Cumbria Police urged any witnesses to come forward.

A resident of nearby Brough told the PA news agency he was driving past the scene when he saw paramedics, police cars and a helicopter.

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Frank Chalmers, 73, said: “I was passing the farm at about 3pm and saw the helicopter with its rotors stopped and paramedics marching up the hill, lots of police, maybe five police cars. A car was parked in the middle of an empty field.

“It all looked very serious. I think with this police presence it’s usually a horrific incident like a death. They don’t typically engage in this type of violence.”

The pensioner said the area was “very, very rural”.