Boy, 11, shot by gang as he played video games in his room after dad answered door to men disguised as delivery drivers
A BOY of 11 was shot as he played a video game by a gang posing as delivery men to get into his home.
The youngster is feared to have suffered life-changing injuries.
His father — thought to be flooring firm boss Ray Hawkins, 45 — is understood to have opened the door at 9.30pm on Friday thinking that a parcel was being delivered.
The masked gang — one possibly wearing a courier uniform — burst in, slashing his head with a machete, shouting: “Where’s the safe?”
His son was in another room playing a computer game but was blasted in the arm when the raiders went in searching for cash.
There were also reports a knife was held to a woman’s throat — believed to be Ray’s wife Laura.
The gang are still on the loose, despite a police helicopter searching through the night. A source close to the family told The Sun on Sunday: “They had a knock at the door saying it was a delivery.
“They opened the door and they hit him over the head with a machete, on the back of the head. Then they shouted, ‘Where’s the safe? We want the money’.
“They went into a room where their son was playing a game and that was where he was shot in the arm.
“They are a lovely family. They own their own business. They have been in the street for 14 years.”
Another source claimed the lad had been used as a human shield during the robbery, while a third said loud bangs were heard.
Forensics teams combed the house in Upminster, East London, for clues yesterday.
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A police spokesman said: “The condition of the man is not life-threatening or life-changing. The condition of the boy is not life-threatening but may be life-changing.”
Neighbour Lee Wingate, 52, said he was unsure whether it was a random attack.
He said: “It’s a dead end. The only reason anyone would come by here is if they’re going to the park.”
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