Man dies after being shot by police in the North East

Shooting: Frenchmans Way
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Tom Marshall2 April 2016
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A 24-year-old man has died days after he was shot by a police officer.

James Wilson was shot in South Shields on Tuesday after apparently being told by Northumbria Police officers to "put the gun down".

Armed police had been called to Frenchmans Way at about 1am after receiving reports a man was holding a handgun.

He died in hospital on Friday. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating and announced his death on Saturday.

IPCC Commissioner Carl Gumsley said: "Our thoughts are with James' friends and family at this very difficult time."

Mr Wilson, also known as Cornet, was believed to have been shot once in the chest.

Earlier, the IPCC said a non-police weapon was recovered from the scene.

Investigators from the police watchdog travelled to the North East to "supervise post-incident procedures for the police officers involved" and interview people who lived nearby.

On Wednesday, a local man said his girlfriend heard police shout "put the gun down", then moments later heard a bang. He knew the man who had been shot.

The father added: "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.

"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."

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