Moment man is attacked by thug armed with a 'crossbow': Ring doorbell footage shows victim begging for help 'after being shot in street'
Disturbing video shows the terrified victim - who has a bloodied face - running towards a house before frantically ringing the bell in an attempt to escape.
A masked shooter dressed in black appears and raises a crossbow - prompting the man to surge forward in an attempt to grab it.
He then runs back towards the front door and bangs on it several before the shooter pulls the trigger, leaving him screaming in agony.
The attacker is seen ripping the arrow out of the victim's leg before the footage cuts away.
Police are now investigating the horrific incident, which took place on Downway Lane in St Helens, Merseyside at around 10pm on Sunday.
They said the attack involved five men, who were all wearing dark clothing and face coverings.
The victim was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
In the footage, the attacker is dressed in a navy and grey The North Face jacket, grey tracksuit trousers and black trainers.
He has his hood up and is wearing sunglasses.
Police believe the attack was targeted and are asking for the public's help to track down the five suspects.
Det Insp Steve Byrom said: 'We are in the very early stages of the investigation and we are determined to find the people responsible.
'I understand that the community will rightly be concerned by this incident but please be assured that we are determined to find the suspects involved.
'We believe that five males fled the area on foot and enquiries are ongoing to locate them and find any weapons used in this incident.
'We are also keen to speak to anyone who was in the general area who saw or heard anything suspicious or believes they captured something significant on their dashcam, CCTV or doorbell camera.
'We know that violence and weapons causes misery on our streets and we would ask for the public's help in coming forward with any bit of information they have so we can find the people responsible.'
There is currently no registration system for owning a crossbow and no requirement for a licence.
But it is illegal for anyone under 18 to buy or own one, with anyone carrying a crossbow in public without a reasonable excuse facing up to four years behind bars.
Last year, a convicted stalker was shot dead by police in London after he broke into a house wielding two of the weapons.
Bryce Hodgson had been convicted of a five-year court restraining order after he entered a woman's bedroom without consent, sent text messages demanding that she open her door and described his sick sexual fantasies.
Earlier this year, Kyle Clifford, 26, was sentenced to a whole life term after using a crossbow to murder BBC racing commentator John Hunt's wife and two daughters.
Anyone with information about the St Helens attack can contact Merseyside Police's social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre'. You can also report information via 101 quoting incident reference 25000577410.
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