<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>336930</docID> <postdate>2025-01-24 09:44:59</postdate> <headline>Teens in hospital after ‘targeted’ shooting near school</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-336931" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20230308001772643828-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="601" /></p> <caption>A 17-year-old boy, one of two teens shot near a city school after a brawl, is fighting for life. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Holly Hales</strong> and <strong>Emily Woods</strong> in Melbourne</span></p> <p><strong>A 17-year-old boy is fighting for his life in hospital and another is seriously injured after a shooting near a school which police say was a targeted attack.</strong></p> <p>Emergency services were called to Vere Street, near Palmer Street, in front of Collingwood College in inner Melbourne, about 1am on Friday.</p> <p>Two boys were found with gunshot wounds, a 17-year-old with life-threatening injuries, and a 15-year-old with serious injuries.</p> <p>Both were taken to hospital, with a crime scene set up around the shooting and Armed Crime Squad detectives investigating.</p> <p>Police said a large group of people were fighting on nearby Hoddle Street prior to the shooting.</p> <p>"Detectives believe the incident was a targeted attack and are working to establish the exact circumstances," a police spokesperson said.</p> <p>"Police are continuing to patrol the area for public reassurance."</p> </body>