Man shot 'in taxi' by police in Bishop Auckland, County DurhamA witness says the man was shot after he ignored police warnings to get out of a taxi: "He didn't get out, and... bang."http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1 ... __Bang___/
A man has been shot by a police officer following reports of a suspect spotted with a handgun, Durham Police has said.
A MAN has told how armed police shouted at a suspect at least six times before they fired at him.
The incident happened in Bishop Auckland on Friday morning.
It began at Cockton Hill Working Men's Club around 10.45am and was brought to a dramatic conclusion in Etherley Lane, Etherley Dene, next to the residential cul de sac Rochester Close.
"They are doing some work to fix a manhole cover so there are traffic lights. A Cables taxi had to stop at the lights. There was a police car at the back of the taxi, but I thought nothing of it at all.
"Within seconds, there were about five or six police vehicles came up and surrounded the taxi. About six to eight armed officers got out with their guns really shouting at the top of their voices for the passenger to get out of the taxi.
"The passenger was shouting, f-ing and c-ing and what have you. He refused to get out. The police officers were shouting at the top of their voice 'Get out!'. They must have given him about six to eight warnings and then one officer said 'this is your final warning, if you don't get out you will be shot'.
"Seconds later, 'bang'.
"They shot through the taxi window and I understand he was shot in his arm or the arm and shoulder."
The witness said he believed the taxi driver was able to get out before the shooting.
"I think he got out two or three minutes into the incident," he said. "The main concern was for him. Once he was out, they asked the other man to get out and he totally refused."
The man was dragged out after being shot.
"They got him out of the taxi and he was still f-ing and c-ing," he said. "You just don't expect it to happen in Bishop Auckland."
Describing the moment the man was shot he said: "It was a loud bang. More or less made you jump. There was only one shot and that was it. They certainly gave him plenty of warning."
After the man was taken away the witness said scenes of crime officers began to move in.
"They have put a white tent up around the incident on the grass verge outside. They are all in white gear and are taking photographs," he said.
"The road is still blocked. It probably will be for a while. Because it's a major incident involving a police shooting it's got to go to the highest level."
Marjorie Lee, 66, above, was outside her house in Rochester Close and saw the incident unfolding.
She said: "I was watching out the front for someone and the next thing I knew there were police sirens and they got the taxi van stopped.
"More and more police vans arrived and I thought this is serious. They were shouting get down, get down, hand it over. Police with guns arrived and they kept shouting.
"Then I heard the shot.
"There was a taxi driver and this lad who was shot, they dragged the lad out onto the grass verge. Then an ambulance arrived and they got him away in it."
Mrs Lee, whose husband Ken was walking nearby, added: "It was a bit frightening to think it happened so close, it is a lovely quiet place to live. But the police came round and said 'not to worry, we’ve got him and it was a one-off'."
It is understood the Cables Taxi driver picked up the suspect near Gill's Off Licence and General Dealer, on Cockton Hill Road.
Margaret Irving, a colleague of the driver, said: “This all happened before I started at 11am. He was a bit shaken but I think he’s okay.”
Durham Police issued a statement on the incident shortly after the incident. It read: "A man has been taken to hospital after being shot by an armed police officer.
"At 10.46am today, police were called to Bishop Auckland after reports that a man had been seen in the area with a handgun.
"During the operation, a suspect was shot and has been taken to hospital.
"The Independent Office for Police Conduct has been informed of the incident and Durham Constabulary will be supporting the IPOC investigation."
Around 3.30pm, they updated the media.
"A criminal investigation is underway after a man was shot by an armed police officer," a spokesman said.
"A man in his 20s was taken to hospital following this morning’s incident in Bishop Auckland, although his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
"Police were called to the town at 10.46am after reports that a man had been seen in the area with a firearm.
"During the ensuing operation, a shot was fired by an armed officer and a suspect was taken to hospital suffering from a gunshot wound to the arm.
"The Independent Office for Police Conduct has been informed of the incident.
"Police would like to thank the people of Bishop Auckland for their patience during the ongoing investigation.
Chief inspector Stephen Ball, of Durham Constabulary, said: “Obviously, this is a serious incident and the public would rightly expect a thorough investigation.
“We are fully co-operating with the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
“We believe this to be an isolated incident and we would like to reassure residents that there is no wider threat to the public.
“We would like to thank residents for their support and patience while the investigation continues.”
"Woodhouse Lane has been closed between the junction with Etherley Lane and the roundabout at Rockingham Drive to allow for investigation at the scene and is likely to remain closed for several more hours. Local diversions are in place."
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