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South Shields man, named locally as James Wilson, shot by police South Shields man, named locally as James Wilson, shot by police
(35 minutes later)
A 24-year-old man is in a serious condition in hospital after being shot by armed police in South Shields. A 24-year-old man is in a critical condition in hospital after being shot by police in South Shields.
Police were called to Frenchman's Way at about 01:00 BST to reports of a man in the street with a handgun.Police were called to Frenchman's Way at about 01:00 BST to reports of a man in the street with a handgun.
The man, named locally as James Wilson, was shot once in the chest, according to witnesses, and taken to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary. The man, named locally as James Wilson, was shot once in the chest and taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
Another witness said she heard Northumbria Police officers shout "put the gun down" before they fired. Investigators said a "non-police weapon" had been recovered from the scene.
A witness said she heard Northumbria Police officers shout "put the gun down" before they fired.
The force has referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).The force has referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
A spokesman for the commission said the man was in a serious condition. A spokesman for the IPCC said: "A 24-year-old man sustained an injury to his chest and is in a critical, but stable condition in the Royal Victoria Infirmary. A non-police weapon has been recovered from the scene.
"Following notification of the incident by Northumbria Police, IPCC investigators travelled to the North East to supervise post incident procedures for the police officers involved as well taking control of the scene of the shooting."
A man who did not give his name said his girlfriend heard police shout "put the gun down", and she heard a bang, which she thought was a firecracker at first.A man who did not give his name said his girlfriend heard police shout "put the gun down", and she heard a bang, which she thought was a firecracker at first.
The man said: "I came out and there were police with guns walking up and down in body armour, like they were securing the area.The man said: "I came out and there were police with guns walking up and down in body armour, like they were securing the area.
"I thought they were looking for a gunman."I thought they were looking for a gunman.
"Police were working on the man for about 10 minutes, giving him oxygen. Then they let the ambulance in and after about five minutes they took him to hospital.""Police were working on the man for about 10 minutes, giving him oxygen. Then they let the ambulance in and after about five minutes they took him to hospital."
The witness said locals thought the man was shot in the chest.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Armed officers attended and made contact with the man, during which the man was shot by police.A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Armed officers attended and made contact with the man, during which the man was shot by police.
"A section of Frenchman's Way has been cordoned off while inquiries into the incident are carried out. "A section of Frenchman's Way has been cordoned off while inquiries into the incident are carried out."
"It has been referred to the IPCC. This is a matter of course in any incident resulting in serious injury following police contact."
Investigators have placed up to eight yellow markers on the street indicating where evidence has been left.
A forensic officer in a white suit was working on the ground to examine the scene.
An investigator in an orange IPCC jacket carried evidence away in a large brown paper sack to a van, and a police photographer took photos of the road surface.