Cara Dillon has sent a message to local people, via Frome Times, following the attack on her in the town centre last night when she was shot in the face with gel-based pellets.
“I’ve lived in Frome for over 22 years and have never experienced any trouble or incidents before,” she said. “I know it only takes one or two reckless fools to ruin things, but I was very surprised by how brazen the culprit was.
“It obviously won’t stop me going out and doing what I usually do in the town, I know it was simply a case of being in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’.
“I’ve since learned there was another shooting in Rodden Road shortly after mine and I really hope they’re ok. I just keep my fingers crossed the police find the person who did it.”
She has also posted an update online about the incident.
“Firstly, thank you to everyone for your kind messages, you really are the best!” she said.
“I posted on Twitter shortly after it happened to warn other residents in my local town of Frome to be aware, I really didn’t expect it to be such a big story, so here’s a bit more info to bring you up to speed.
“Sam and I were walking to meet friends for dinner in the town centre and were on the corner of Bath Street and Cork Street at 7pm when a vehicle drove past with the window down. We both heard an automatic BB or Airsoft gun fire about 8-12 shots and I was hit in the face several times. My left eyeball was hit, my cheek and around my eye. It felt like someone had thrown a handful of stones at me, it was very painful. Anyway, I was in tears, couldn’t open my eye, a nice lady helped and it took us all a minute to realise what had happened. While on the phone to the police Sam, started looking for pellets on the ground and found about 7. They were gel-like (thankfully) and not solid plastic. The police were on the scene very quickly and were looking at CCTV from the town centre. They were very helpful and considerate.
“I woke this morning with a sore eye, headache, and a bruise appearing on my cheek. I’ve had a very thorough checkover with an optician (lots of tests/scans) and everything seems fine with my eye.
“I heard this morning that another person was shot in the head last night on Rodden Road in Frome so I wasn’t the only one. The police are aware of this incident as well.
“Thanks again for all the kind comments and rest assured I’m fine…just a little shaken up.”
Police have confirmed that a similar incident involving another individual was also reported to have taken place in the town last night.
A statement from Avon and Somerset Police said, “Officers are investigating two reports of individuals being hit by a suspected BB gun pellet in Bath Street and Rodden Road in Frome.
“Thankfully, we do not believe anyone has been seriously injured or required any medical treatment and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.
“We are asking anyone with any information to get in touch by calling 101 and quoting reference 5224144931 to the call handler.”