Armed officers arrested a man after a teenage boy was shot in the shoulder in Hangleton last night.
The 13-year-old was treated by paramedics after being hit in Buckley Close, off Hangleton Way.
A 20-year-old man from Hove was being held on suspicion of committing firearms offences and wounding.
Sussex Police said: “Police contained an area of Hove last night after a report that a rifle was being fired and a 13-year-old boy had been hit in the shoulder.
“Police received a report at 10.15pm of a boy being injured by a pellet while he was standing on a pavement in Buckley Close.
“When officers arrived they too heard rifle shots and left their car to investigate.
“Armed response officers were called along with the police helicopter while officers created a cordon to contain the area.
“Just after midnight a 20-year-old local man was arrested for firearms offences and wounding.
“He is in custody helping police with their inquiries.
“An air weapon has been seized.
“The boy, who suffered quite a deep wound near his collarbone, informed his mother immediately and so we were able to act quickly.
“On our arrival we found a window broken to the door of a block of flats and it looks like street lights had been shot at.
“Fortunately no one else was injured during the incident.
“The boy was treated by ambulance staff and did not receive hospital treatment.
“We are interviewing a number of witnesses and would ask anyone with information to contact us on 0845 6070999.
