The 13-year-old boy who was shot in the head with a shotgun in London yesterday was an 'innocent bystander', police have said.
The boy was taken to hospital along with another teenager, who is 15, after they were both shot in broad daylight.
In a statement today, Scotland Yard said the older teen remains in hospital, where his condition is not thought to be life-threatening.
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The statement said: "Police were called at around 13:15hrs to High Street, Wealdstone to reports of a person having been shot.
"At the scene, a 15-year-old boy [Victim 1] was found to have suffered head injuries, caused by a number of shotgun pellets. He was taken by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to a central London hospital where his condition has been deemed not life-threatening. He remains in hospital.
"Approximately four minutes later, the LAS alerted police to reports of a second injured boy at a different location on the High Street.
"A 13-year-old boy [Victim 2, initially believed to have been aged 12 years] - who had been walking along the road with his parents - was found to have a shotgun pellet wound to the head.
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"He was taken to a west London hospital with non-life threatening injuries and has since been discharged from hospital.
"The second victim is being treated as an innocent bystander. It is thought that he was struck by shots fired in the shooting minutes earlier."
The force added that officers have been made aware of a possible third victim, who may have been at the scene with the 15-year-old.
"This victim is believed to have sustained an arm injury and left prior to the arrival of the emergency services," it said.
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"A 39-year-old man was arrested on the evening of 6 May in connection with the incident. He has been released under investigation.
"Detectives from the Trident and Area Crime Command are investigating. Enquiries are ongoing."
Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Rose - who is the Harrow Borough Commander - also said: "It would appear that the first victim was approached by two male suspects, one in possession of a shotgun - and shots were fired injuring him and an entirely innocent member of the public.
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"This was a callous, reckless and brazen act, without any thought by those responsible for the fact that there were families with children and people in the high street enjoying their weekend. This was quite simply, appalling.
"As a parent myself, I know hearing an incident like this where a child has been shot whilst they have been with there parents will cause alarm. It is senseless and shows an utter disregard for the safety of others.
"I want to assure the communities of Harrow and the wider public we are doing everything we can to catch the suspects responsible. Violent crime has no place on our streets. Officers from Trident are investigating and we are supporting them locally.
"I would urge anyone who can assist us with the investigation or any witnesses who have not yet come forward to contact police."
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A Met Police spokesman said yesterday: "Officers were first called around 1.17pm to High Street, Wealdstone, to reports of a person having been shot.
"At the scene a 15-year-old boy suffering from a gun shot wound was treated by London Ambulance Service before being taken to a central London hospital for treatment.
"His injuries are still being assessed - we await details of these and his condition.
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