Crawley College incident: Man charged with multiple offences

Shortly after 3.10pm, police received reports of shots being fired at the site in College Road.

Officers swiftly responded to the scene, where the suspect had been detained by two college employees; a teacher and a member of support staff, police said.

A blank firing handgun and a knife were seized, and at 3.20pm an 18-year-old man from Crawley was arrested, confirmed police.

Two people sustained minor injuries – not gunshot wounds – and presented themselves to a walk-in medical centre.

Police said: “Thankfully, no other injuries were reported.”

Sandijs Dreimanis, 18, of Barton Walk in Crawley, has been charged with possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and possession of a bladed article on a school premises, police confirmed.

He has been remanded to appear at Crawley Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday, April 28).

A spokesman said: “Police are treating this as an isolated incident which was not terror-related, and nobody else is being sought in connection with it.

“Officers continue to work with the college and the local authority to manage the welfare and wellbeing of those involved, including students.

“Anyone with any information can report it online or call 101, quoting Operation Reset.”

Crawley College is assisting Sussex Police with its investigation, and has confirmed that the college will be closed until at least Thursday (April 29), police said.