Four sentenced after chasing teenager through Leeds with gun and machetes
The group were spotted on CCTV running after the 17 year old victim
Four teenagers have been sentenced after chasing a member of a rival gang through the streets of Leeds armed with a gun and machetes.
Scared members of the public phoned police at around 3pm on July 7 last year, after spotting the masked men running after the 17 year old victim in the Foundry Approach and Coldcotes Circus areas of Gipton.
A handgun was fired at the victim during the chase, however the bullet jammed in the chamber of the firearm, which was a converted blank firing pistol.
The victim managed to escape and all four suspects were later arrested in the Brown Hill Terrace area of Harehills.
One of the suspects, a 16 year old, was found with a machete hidden down his waistband.
It's believed the group had deliberately gone to the Gipton area looking for the victim, who was a member of a rival gang.
The four were charged with offences including attempted murder, affray and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
19 year old Kamahl Johnson, of Grange Crescent in Chapeltown will serve a seven year two month custodial sentence, alongside 18 year old Zane Gatewood, of Pawson Street in Wakefield.
A 17 year old boy will serve seven years and nine months, while a 16 year old will serve a four year nine month term.
Neither can be named for legal reasons.
Detective Chief Inspector Michael Herbert, who led the investigation for West Yorkshire Police, said: “The CCTV footage shows this terrifying incident unfolding on a Sunday afternoon in a residential area where it was witnessed by a large number of people including young children.
“These four had armed themselves with a viable firearm and machetes and gone hunting for a rival gang member and clearly didn’t care about the consequences or the fear their actions brought to the local community.
“The incident prompted a swift response from district officers who detained the suspects during a search of the area and recovered the weapons.
“Serious youth violence linked to urban street gangs remains a priority issue for the police and our partner agencies and we continue to work hard to target those involved and reduce the harm it presents to young people.
“We hope the successful outcome of this investigation will provide some reassurance to the community and demonstrate how seriously we will continue to treat any offences of this nature.”