3 released after questioning over NI shooting

Three people arrested after a shooting at a school in Northern Ireland have been released, police said today

Three people arrested after a shooting at a school in Northern Ireland have been released, police said today. The trio, including a 13-year-old boy, were freed on police bail while further inquiries are carried out.

They were held after an air rifle was fired into the playground of Dunclug College in Ballymena, Co Antrim, at lunchtime yesterday.

A 17-year-old male and a man in his 40s were also detained for questioning during a series of searches in the area.

Detectives said they were not aware of any injuries following the incident, adding that they did not suspect a sectarian motive.

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Up to 40 children had been in the playground at the time and at least one pellet hit a gym door.

School principal Ruth Wilson said it was mainly 12-year-olds in the area when the shots were fired, but they were cleared without any panic setting in.

She added that the school believed the pellet was fired from the direction of the nearby Doury Road estate, but there was no evidence to suggest those involved were firing towards any child.