Armed police have reportedly been posted at Basildon Hospital to guard a man after he was shot in the stomach in a “targeted attack” in Essex.
The 19-year-old man was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to his stomach shortly before 7.15pm on Wednesday, Essex Police said.
Detectives believe he was injured after being approached by two men in Tilbury.
Police said the man was in a serious condition.
They said officers had been sent to Basildon Hospital.
A witness told Essex Live they thought some of them were armed.
The police presence at the hospital sparked fears on social media that Basildon Hospital was on lockdown.
Detective Inspector Stuart Truss, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “This investigation is in a very early stage but we’re already building up a picture of the circumstances which led up to it.
“While it is unclear what the motive behind the attack was we believe it was targeted and there is no risk to the wider public.
“I appreciate this will be concerning for the local community but I want to emphasise incidents like this are very rare.
“The area where it is thought this incident took place is a busy residential one and I believe someone will have seen something.”
A spokesman for Basildon Hospital said the Accident and Emergency department remains open to the public.
Anyone with any information on the incident is urged to call 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
