A WOMAN shot in the head outside flats in Abingdon still remains in a critical condition, police have said.

Thames Valley Police confirmed this morning a 20-year-old from Ealing had been arrested.

The woman, named locally as Kerry Reeves, is being treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital for serious head injuries following the incident in Thornhill Walk.

Flowers have been laid at the scene where Miss Reeves was shot, with many believing the 26-year-old has already died.

Detectives said last night they were hunting two suspects who were believed to be known to the victim.

Neighbours in Thornhill Walk said they heard a loud bang, before emergency services arrived at the scene after the incident on Tuesday night

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he heard Miss Reeves was shot in the face.

He added: "I heard a loud bang and someone screaming. All we've heard was that she was shot in the face. It's such a shame."

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, added: "I heard a noise, but thought it was a firework. Then I heard an almighty groan. Someone told me she was shot at close range in the face."

It was believed that Miss Reeves had been visiting a flat in the block when she was shot.

Bunches of flowers were today laid alongside a few single red roses with messages of sympathy to Miss Reeves and her family.

Oxford Mail:

This morning the home remained cordoned off while a team of forensics officers searched the communal garden.

Teams of forensic investigators set up a tent in the garden and search teams were checking bins and garage roofs.

Detectives said last night they were hunting two suspects who were believed to be known to the victim.

LPA Commander for South and Vale, Superintendent Jim O’Ryan, said: "Our investigations appear to indicate that this is not a random attack and the offender knew the victim. We are actively searching for two suspects.

“Our thoughts are with the family of this young woman. This is a very unusual incident for the area and officers are working hard to apprehend those responsible."

  • Not a random attack: Superintendent Jim O'Ryan speaks about the shooting 

South Central Ambulance spokesman David Gallagher said they were called to a report of a woman suffering from a severe head injury.

He added: "The patient was conveyed to the John Radcliffe Hospital with life-threatening injuries."

One police patrol car was also parked outside a block of flats near the entrance to Dunmore Primary School in Northcourt Road and there was an officer inside the block.

Some of the homes in Thornhill Walk are owned by Sovereign Housing Association and their staff were also at the scene.

Lewis Alder, 20, of Northcourt Road, said he knew Miss Reeves and grew up in the Saxton Road area.

He added: "Everyone liked Kerry and no one had a bad word to say about her.

"It's hard to believe she has been shot – you hear about these things in other parts of the country but when it's on your own doorstep it's hard to take.

"The whole town is shocked by this."

A resident of Longmead, Abingdon, said he and his wife heard a gunshot metres away from their house followed by a "groan of pain".

The 52-year-old, who asked not to be named, said: “I thought it was fireworks but immediately my wife said ‘was that a gunshot?’

"Then seconds later we heard this groan of pain as if somebody had been shot."