Man shot 'in taxi' by police in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
A witness says the man was shot after he ignored police warnings to get out of a taxi: "He didn't get out, and... bang."
Friday 25 May 2018 18:12, UK
A man has been shot by a police officer following reports of a suspect spotted with a handgun, Durham Police has said.
The man was shot at 10.46am during an operation in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and taken to hospital.
A spokeswoman for the force said: "The Independent Office for Police Conduct has been informed of the incident and Durham Constabulary will be supporting the IPOC investigation."
No further details were given about the shooting or the man's condition.
A witness said the man was shot through the passenger window of a taxi after it stopped at a temporary traffic light.
He said the man was given several warnings to get out of the vehicle with his hands up.
While officers shouted at the passenger, the taxi driver got out safely.
Even after he was shot once in the upper arm or shoulder, the passenger continued to shout at the police, the witness said.
He also tried to get off a stretcher as he was taken away by paramedics.
"The police were not pussyfooting around," the witness said.
"They shouted, 'This is your final warning, if you don't get out we will shoot'.
"He didn't get out, and... bang."
A white forensic tent has been erected at the scene of the shooting, and a police cordon has been set up close to the Masons Arms pub in the Etherley Dene area of Bishop Auckland.