A man was hit in the face after a child shot at him with an air weapon.
The carpet fitter was outside a house where he was working in Queen Elizabeth Way, Monkwick, Colchester, when the youngster fired the BB-gun.
It damaged the victim's glasses but he was not injured and managed to hold the boy, thought to be aged ten to 12.
The child gave a false name and address and fled.
Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester CID, said: "Somebody in Queen Elizabeth Way must know who did this.
"It underlines the dangers of allowing children of that age to run around with air weapons."
The shooting was reported at 4.25pm on Saturday and anyone with information should call Colchester police on 01206 762212.
In a separate incident police today appealed for witnesses after a teenage boy was shot at with an air pistol.
The 14-year-old boy was delivering newspapers in the Low Road area of Dovercourt when a sports car with three youths stopped and one of the youths took a shot at him.
The boy was hit on the right upper arm.
Anyone with information should contact PC Lee Clifton on 01255 241312
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article