Longley Park Sixth Form Academy will reopen after remaining closed due to two firearms incidents that occurred within minutes of each other in Sheffield on 23 September 2026. South Yorkshire Police responded to reports of shots being fired at residential properties in the early hours, with no injuries reported in either attack.
Officers were first called to Swanbourne Road at approximately 04.31 BST following reports that two unidentified suspects arriving on an electric-style bike had discharged a firearm towards a house. Eleven minutes later, at about 04.42 BST, police received a second report of shots fired at a property on Horninglow Road, located near the sixth form college. Police described the second incident as occurring in the "same circumstances" as the first, indicating the attacks were likely connected.
Although the college confirmed it was "not in any way connected" to the shootings, the building closed to staff and students because the police cordon affected access to Horninglow Road. The college instructed students not to travel to the academy and arranged for lessons to be delivered online for the day. According to local reporting, work would be set via Teams while the site remained closed.
What happened at each location?
The first incident unfolded on Swanbourne Road when two men on an electric-style bike fired shots at a house. Approximately 11 minutes later, a similar attack targeted a property on Horninglow Road. Scenes-of-crime officers examined gunshot residue and markings on the brickwork and pavement outside the Horninglow Road property, with visible damage to a window and door frame at the targeted house.
A police cordon remained in place along Horninglow Road between Barnsley Road and the junction with Tideswell Road from the early hours of the morning. The proximity of the second incident to Longley Park Sixth Form Academy prompted the college's precautionary closure, though police confirmed the educational institution itself was not targeted.
How are police responding?
South Yorkshire Police launched an investigation into both shootings and appealed for public assistance in identifying the suspects. Superintendent Martin Simcock stated:
"These are serious incidents and I know that the public will rightly be concerned. When reckless individuals discharge a deadly weapon, they put innocent lives at risk. Our officers will work around the clock to bring the suspects to justice. We will also have an increased officer presence in the area in the coming days for the reassurance and safety of the public."
According to police information, a dedicated incident line has been established for the investigation, with the force asking witnesses or anyone with footage to reference incident number 116 of 23 September 2026. The force confirmed that increased officer presence would be maintained in the area in the coming days to provide reassurance to residents.
When will the college reopen?
Longley Park Sixth Form Academy said it would share further reopening information as soon as possible. The college stated it would provide additional updates if and when they became available, though no specific timeline for resuming normal operations was initially announced.
Key Facts
- Two firearms incidents occurred within 11 minutes on 23 September 2026 in Sheffield, with police treating them as linked attacks
- No injuries were reported in either shooting, though visible damage was caused to properties targeted on both streets
- Longley Park Sixth Form Academy closed as a precaution due to police cordon placement affecting site access, not because it was targeted
- Police are hunting two unidentified suspects believed to have arrived at the first incident on an electric-style bike
- The public is urged to contact police with incident number 116 if they have information or footage relating to the attacks
