TWO men are hospital following a shooting in Ashton Road, Luton, late last night (Tuesday February 15).
A group of men knocked on the door of the terraced house in Ashton Road at about 11.30pm, and shot the two occupants with a shotgun as they came to the door.
The victims, both men aged 26, suffered abdominal wounds but these are believed not to be life-threatening.
Paramedics, including the Magpas air ambulance team, attended the scene and the victims were taken to the Luton & Dunstable Hospital.
Yesterday the house and neighbouring properties were cordoned off as forensics officers searched for evidence.
The victims are a Chinese man and a Romanian man, both of whom are studying at the University of Bedfordshire.
Speaking at the crime scene yesterday, Det Chief Insp Stephen Collin from the Beds & Herts Major Crime Unit said: “At 11.30pm a group of men turned up at the property, we don’t know the reason for it, and a shotgun has been discharged through the front door window.
“The two students sustained stomach injuries.
“The motive is being worked on, and we are looking for anybody who was in the area between 11 and 12.” One neighbour, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “I heard a very, very loud bang between 11 and midnight, it made me jump.
“Before the bang I could hear people outside but I didn’t look outside as I didn’t want to get involved. I just shut the windows and made sure the back door was locked.
“I’ve only lived here for a three months but it’s usually a pretty quiet road.”
Det Chief Insp Collin said: “I would like to reassure residents of Luton that everything is being done to identify and catch the people responsible and that events such as these remain extremely rare.”
Anyone with information can contact police, in confidence, on 01234 841212, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or text 07786 200011.