Overview
- A car pulled up at a Balmer Hill home and two shots were heard on Saturday 29 August, leaving a 46-year-old man with birdshot injuries to his abdomen who is in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
- Officers initially arrested a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder, and both have since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
- Detectives say a red convertible Jaguar believed to have been used was found abandoned in Witton Park about 50 minutes after the shooting and its movements through nearby towns are being traced.
- Forensic teams worked at the property under a police cordon over the weekend, the window has been boarded and officers continue to gather evidence as they appeal for witnesses to contact 101 quoting incident reference 479.
- Emergency services including the North East Ambulance Service and support from the Great North Air Ambulance Service attended the scene and police say further forensic results and charging decisions are the likely next steps in the probe.