TWO suspects remain the subject of a police investigation after gunshots were heard during a city centre fight.

Armed police shut down the St James’s Street area of Brighton as officers launched a search for a man and a woman believed to have been involved in the assault.

Sussex Police said one of the attackers had a gun which is believed to have been shot during the incident at Rock Place shortly before noon today.

Passers-by told The Argus they had heard the sound of a “gunshot” and a “loud bang” coming from the site.

The Argus:

Adam Kidd, who was working at the nearby Academy of Creative Training witnessed the fight and alerted emergency services to the incident.

He said: “I heard shouting so I went to my window and I saw two young men having an altercation. One of the men had a weapon pointing at the other but it was hard to see as he was hiding it in his sleeve. The young man wasn’t hurt – he defended himself with a traffic cone. The man with the weapon then ran off in the opposite direction.”

Sussex Police were called at 11.50am and a large police presence soon occupied St James’s Street and the surrounding roads.

The Argus:

Several of the areas were taped off as an investigation was launched into the assault.

The victim was located and found to be unharmed.

But, with the man and woman involved in the altercation still missing, Sussex Police issued an appeal for information yesterday evening.

Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Donna Ward, said: “We are searching for a man and a woman in connection with the incident.

"The man is described as white, in his mid to late 20s, with short mousey brown hair and wearing dark blue jeans and a black puffa jacket.

The Argus:

"The woman is described as being in her late teens or early 20s, of slim build, with long blonde hair and wearing a red coat with a fur trim around the hood.

"It is believed that a firearm was discharged at the location and we will continue to investigate whether the victim was known to the suspects. There is not believed to be a wider threat to the community.

"Officers in the city will continue to conduct high visibility patrols at this time.

"We have had to close some of the roads around the St James’s Street area of Kemp Town and these road closures will continue to be in place while enquiries are ongoing. We appreciate the public’s understanding around this disruption.

The Argus:

"We are aware this incident was witnessed by a number of members of the public and we are appealing for you to come forward to us with information.

“Do you have CCTV outside your property which captured the incident or did you witnesses anyone matching the descriptions of the suspects in the city prior or after altercation?

"If you can assist the police investigation please report online or call 101 quoting Operation Spyglass.

“You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online.”