Two children were among 10 people injured in a shooting at a street party in the Moss Side area of Manchester.
Armed police were called to Claremont Road at about 02:30 BST.
Police said nine victims, including two children over the age of 12, had “pellet-type wounds” that are not serious. A 10th person – a man – is in a serious condition with a broken leg.
The shooting took place at a party held after the first day of this weekend’s Caribbean Carnival in Alexandra Park.
Ch Supt Wasim Chaudhry, from Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said police believe the weapon used was a shotgun with “pellets in its rounds”.
He said those injured were aged between 12 and their 50s and mainly suffered injuries to their legs.
“Discharging a firearm… in as large a crowd as this is completely reckless,” he said.
“I think its more by luck than by anything else that people haven’t suffered life-threatening injuries,” he added, saying the motive remained unclear.
He added that two armed officers were “quickly in attendance, within a minute in fact”.
Police said they were treating the attack as the attempted murder of 10 people.
They have urged anyone with information to contact them.
Councillor Pat Karney said: “You can’t tar a whole community because of some idiotic behaviour.
“I think the fact that over 16,000 people came out to the carnival yesterday indicates the strength of the community here and their desire to celebrate their area.”
The Caribbean Carnival, which has been held every summer since 1972, draws thousands of people.
Residents said a street party was usually held in Claremont Road after the first day of events.
Youth worker Kemoy Walker, who had been on the main stage at the carnival on Saturday, said he had been at another street party in Claremont Road until about 23:30.
“The party I was at was beautiful,” he said.
“When I left there was lovely dancing. That’s Moss Side, that’s the culture. I’m in shock this morning.”
Organisers said Sunday’s carnival events would continue.
