Three people charged with attempted murder following a shooting in Braintree town centre have been remanded in custody after appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court.
The defendants appeared before magistrates on Monday 7 September following the incident in Market Place, Braintree, on 31 August.
They comprise two men from Chelmsford, aged 23 and 18, and a 17-year-old from Braintree.
All three face charges of attempted murder.
Following the hearing, the case was sent to Chelmsford Crown Court, where a plea and trial preparation hearing is scheduled to take place on 5 October.
Defendants remanded in custody
No pleas to the attempted-murder allegations were entered during the magistrates' court hearing.
All three defendants were remanded in custody ahead of the next stage of proceedings.
The court appearance follows a major Essex Police investigation launched after officers were called to Braintree town centre at around 10.10pm on Monday 31 August.
Two teenage boys suffered serious injuries to their faces and upper bodies during the incident, while a third person was also injured.
Police subsequently recovered a shotgun and ammunition during the investigation.
Police investigation continues
Essex Police has previously said its working theory is that the shooting was connected to a dispute involving criminal drug activity.
However, the force has said those who were injured are not believed to have been involved in that offending.
A number of arrests were made during the investigation before the three defendants were charged with attempted murder.
One of the Chelmsford defendants also faces a number of separate alleged offences, including firearms-related matters.
The case will now continue at Chelmsford Crown Court.
The charges are allegations and no determination of guilt has been made. Criminal proceedings remain active.