SHOT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT
Two arrested as victim fights for his life
A SHOOTING in broad daylight was mistaken by some neighbours for a car crash until the street was placed on lockdown.
Neighbours around Blue House Lane in Washington thought there had been a minor collision before police cordoned off a large area of the road.
Police were called to the area at the Weardale Avenue junction at around 2pm on Thursday after the ambulance service reported that a man had been shot. The 28-year-old victim was taken to hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries and he is receiving treatment.
Two men – aged 26 and 33 – have been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm. They were still in police custody last night.
It is believed the man had been in an altercation with someone near to the One Stop on Blue House Lane shortly before he was shot.
Police investigations were centered on a red and white car parked on the side of the road close to Albany Park.
One mum who lives on Blue House Lane said: “It’s quite worrying that somebody is driving past with a gun in the car. I heard somebody had been shot inside the car.
“It’s absolutely terrifying. Nobody has said what’s going on.”
Northumbria Police have not confirmed the incident happened while the victim was in the car, but forensic investigators examined the vehicles after arriving on Thursday evening.
Jessica Harbron, 21, who lives close to the scene said: “I heard somebody had been shot and it was near the shop. I’m not that far from where it was cordoned off.
“You hear of stabbings and stuff but you never hear of somebody being shot especially in your area, it’s so close to home.”
A police cordon was in place between Havannah Road and Albany Way although residents who live on Blue House Lane were allowed back into their homes.
Simon Burton was on his way to his partner’s home on Borrowdale when he came across the scene just seconds after the alleged shooting.
The 39-year-old said: “I drove round the corner and there was loads of people around the cars. I literally just missed it.
“I thought it was just a crash, there was about six people I think around the red and white cars.”
His partner Dawn Briggs was inside the home which overlooks the scene, but said she had not heard any gunshots.
Another man who lives near to Blue House Lane said he didn’t know what had happened until the police turned up. He said “I thought two cars had crashed” and said he hadn’t heard any gunshots.
The cordon remained in place into Thursday evening and four forensic investigators bagged up discarded items from a grassy area and the road close to the cars.
Superintendent Paul Stewart of Northumbria Police said: “We are in the very early stages of our investigation but a man is in a critical condition in hospital.
“Our officers are trying to establish exactly what has happened but we have already spoken to a number of witnesses who were in the area at the time.
“It appears that a firearm has been fired during an altercation and we are trying to identify who has been involved. If you were in the area when this incident took place, and have yet to speak to police, then we need you to give us a call.”
He added: “Officers will be conducting high visible patrols in the area into the evening and anyone who has any concerns is encouraged to speak to them.”
Anyone who can assist police is asked to call 101 quoting log 569 10/10/19 or online at the Northumbria Police website. You can also report anonymously by contacting independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.