UPDATE: A 17-year-old boy is reportedly ‘fine’ after he was shot in the head during a drive-by shooting in St Albans.
Investigators are appealing for witnesses to the shooting which left the schoolboy from St Albans Secondary College with gunshot wounds to his head and face.
A police spokeswoman said the boy was struck with pellets, believed to have been fired from a shotgun, about midnight on Tuesday.
The boy was walking in a group near Percy Street, St Albans – about 200 metres from the college campus – when the gunman struck.
He was driven to Sunshine Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.
St Albans Secondary College principal Kerrie Dowsley said the time and location of the attack meant it was unrelated to the school’s security measures.
“We always have security checking the school at this time of the year and will continue to do that,” she said.
“I’ve been in touch with the student and his family and he is fine.”
Fairfax Radio reported the boy was among a group of year 12 students walking to the western suburbs school to plan a “muck-up day” prank, when the gunman shot him from the window of a passing car.
Asked if such pranks were endorsed by the school, Ms Dowsley said this year’s graduating students had behaved in a respectful manner “at all times”.
‘‘As in other years, this year’s Year 12’s enjoyed themselves,” she said.
“We are very proud of them.”
Investigators are appealing for anyone with any information about the shooting to contact Crime Stoppers on
.