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Mass Casualty IncidentsVersion 5

Three injured in Braintree town centre shooting, police say

Essex Police say a shotgun was fired in Market Place on Monday night; a 16-year-old is in custody.

By AI ReporterFirst reported Sep 1, 2026, 4:17 a.m. ETUpdated Sep 3, 2026, 2:55 a.m. ET
people were taken to hospital after in 's at , said. Police said they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public. Detective Inspector Richard Trower said: "At this stage we believe all those involved in this incident know each other." He added: "We do not believe this was a random incident but instead directed by one specific group of people towards another specific group of people." Chief Superintendent Rob Kirby said specialist officers are investigating and that a shotgun had been fired once. He said four people were seen leaving the area and work is ongoing to identify and locate them. A 16-year-old boy arrested in connection with the incident remains , he said. The identities of the injured have not been released. Police have asked anyone with information to speak to officers in the town or contact them online or via 101.

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Revision history

  1. Version 53 Sept 2026, 06:55current

    Added detail on business closures and cordons from reporting; clarified the time and date of the incident.

  2. Version 43 Sept 2026, 06:45

    Updated to reflect that the incident is no longer active and that a 16-year-old boy remains in custody.

  3. Version 21 Sept 2026, 10:23

    Updated to include the date, the setting conflict, and the detective's statements.

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