Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PSNI SHOOTING PROBE
Man is critically injured and officer stabbed in terrifying incident at callout
A MAJOR probe was launched yesterday after a man was shot with a PSNI weapon and an officer sustained stab wounds.
The Police Ombudsman will investigate Saturday’s horrific incident at a house in Derry.
Sinn Fein MLA Martina Anderson said: “The man is in intensive care. I hope he will survive.”
THE PSNI has called for the widespread rollout of Tasers after an incident in which a man was shot in the chest with a police firearm.
An officer was also stabbed during the callout to Celandine Court in the Gobnascale area of Derry on Saturday.
Police were responding to a report of concern for the safety of a man at around 10.45pm.
It is understood the man who was shot in the chest remains in a critical condition in hospital.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “As officers were dealing with the incident, a police firearm was discharged and the male sustained a chest injury. He remains in hospital at this time.
“A police officer sustained a knife wound to his arm and head during the incident and he was taken to hospital for treatment. The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has been informed and is investigating.”
Police Federation for Northern Ireland chair Mark Lindsay added: “This was an horrific incident for all concerned.
“We wish our officer a full and speedy recovery and assure him we will do all we can on his behalf during the Police Ombudsman’s investigation. This incident is yet more proof of the need for the more widespread rollout of less lethal Taser to deal with potentially life-threatening incidents.
“Taser protects lives and prevents injuries and rather than viewing it as a further erosion of civil liberties, it should be seen as a preferable option to the use of firearms.
“Taser is an effective device when dealing with difficult and challenging incidents. Its professional deployment protects officers and prevents assailants from inflicting harm on others including officers.
“It is a sensible and safe deterrent that also gives officers badly-needed protection in often volatile and dangerous situations.”
A Police Ombudsman’s Office spokesman said: “At this stage, we know that police went to the flat after receiving a call for assistance.
“There was then a confrontation during which one police officer sustained stab wounds and police discharged CS spray and a single gunshot. Police notified the Police Ombudsman’s on-call team about the incident and our investigators have been making inquiries at the scene.
“We would be keen to hear from anyone who knows anything about what happened and would ask anybody who might be able to assist our inquiries to call our freephone witness appeal line on 0800 032 7880.”
SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood added there needs to be a thorough investigation into the “deeply worrying” incident.
He said: “I would encourage everyone involved to co-operate with the Ombudsman’s office as they investigate these troubling circumstances.”
Sinn Fein MLA Martina Anderson added: “I am shocked a vulnerable man has been shot and wounded by police. “The man is in intensive care in hospital and my first thoughts are that I hope he will survive his injuries. “A police officer also suffered a stab wound during the incident. Thankfully the officer has been released from hospital and I hope he too makes a full recovery.
“I have contacted senior police and the Police Ombudsman to convey my grave concerns lethal force has been used in this incident. The PSNI needs to provide the public with a full explanation about this shooting.”