FOUR teenagers were arrested after firing an airgun at a school.

The shooting sparked fears of a chilling copycat stunt in the wake of the Denver massacre in the U.S.

They struck at Downlands School in Hassocks, firing airgun pellets at a school hall and shattering a window.

The incident triggered a full-scale police alert and officers swooped on four youths with an airgun on grounds outside the school.

The incident came just days after the American massacre in which two teenagers killed fellow pupils and a teacher before turning their guns on themselves.

Pupils at the school in Dale Avenue were not injured.

A West Sussex education spokesman said: "An air rifle was discharged from a building that wasn't on the school campus.

"The pellet struck a window in the school but didn't go through. It looks as if it bounced off.

"Nobody was injured. Immediately the incident happened the police were called.

"They arrived very quickly and subsequently arrested four youths."

Sgt Jan Lavis, of Burgess Hill police, said inquiries were still continuing.

She said those arrested had claimed they were shooting at targets but hit the school when they missed.

She said: "It's not cut and dried that they were aiming at the school and they were not on the premises.

"We don't know exactly what happened yet.

"We are waiting on witness statements which will form part of our investigation into this matter."

The four teenagers have been bailed to return to Crawley police station on May 13.

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