Two men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a teenager was shot in the stomach in what police believe was a targeted attack.
The 19-year-old victim is believed to have been attacked after he was approached by two men shortly before 7.15pm on Wednesday in Tilbury, Essex Police said.
He is in a serious but stable condition at Basildon University Hospital, the force said.
A 36-year-old man from Tilbury and a 40-year-old man from Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, are being questioned in custody.
The area of Raphael Avenue and Sullivan Road where the incident took place was cordoned off, while officers are also stationed at the hospital.
The police presence at the hospital had sparked fears on social media that Basildon Hospital was on lockdown.
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following an incident where a man was shot in #Tilbury.The…
Posted by Essex Police on Wednesday, September 26, 2018
He said people should not approach the vehicle but should call police on 999, and he urged people not to speculate about the incident.
“The victim was taken for treatment by a member of the public but there was no second incident at the hospital and nobody was shot at there,” he said. “There was also never a man with a firearm at the hospital.
“Our officers went there due to the nature of the incident and to ensure the victim was safeguarded.”
Extra high-visibility patrols will be carried out in the area “over the next few days” and a mobile police station will be put in place, Essex Police said.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident 1114 of September 26, or to email scd.appeals.essex@essex.pnn.police.uk.
Alternatively people can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
