Two charged for shooting (From Essex County Standard)

Two charged for shooting

10:00pm Monday 17th September 2012 in News By Helen Barnett

TWO men have been charged with attempted murder after a drive-by shooting in Colchester town centre.

TP Sports Bar in Queen Street was peppered with bullets, shot from a car, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Three shots, which hit the wall of the Queen Street bar, were fired close to a member of security working on the door.

Dean Edwards, 38, of Convent Close, Braintree, and Michael Cooper, 40, of Russell Road, Clacton, have since been charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm.

Edwards was additionally charged with criminal damage to a telephone while in custody. Both men will appear in Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today.

Armed officers and a police helicopter were sent to the scene at about 2.20am Saturday. No-one was injured.

Police, who are still searching for the weapon, say they are treating the incident “incredibly seriously” while trying to reassure residents Colchester is a safe place.

Det Insp Joel Henderson said: “This is an extremely rare incident and one which officers are taking incredibly seriously.

“It is fortunate that no-one was injured during this reckless, dangerous, and utterly-stupid incident for which we have arrested two men.

“Officers are continuing to search the area for the weapon and ask anyone who come across anything which appears to be a firearm to contact police immediately.”

TP Sports Bar refused to comment, but thanked people on its Facebook page for their support.

An update read: “I just want to reassure all our customers that TP’s is still a safe venue for people to come and enjoy themselves, and that people should not let the actions of idiots dictate how they spend their evenings. TP’s is open as normal.”