Police watchdog reports death of man aged 24 shot by firearms officer

A 24-year-old man shot by a firearms officer on Tuesday has died, the police watchdog has said.

James Wilson, from South Shields, died in hospital from his wounds on Friday, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said.

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

Police at the scene in Frenchmans Way, South Shields, South Tyneside

Armed police were called to Frenchmans Way, South Shields, South Tyneside, at around 1am on Tuesday after receiving reports a man was holding a handgun.

The police watchdog is investigating after he was shot, having apparently been told by Northumbria Police officers to "put the gun down".

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 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."

The witness said the man was named Mr Wilson, that he was also known as Cornet and that he was not a gangster.

Friends paid tribute to Mr Wilson on Facebook.

Tony Howla, from South Shields, said s eeing his friend of 15 years lying in hospital was "the worst feeling ever".

He said: "Cornet was like family back in the day all 5 of us were like each other's shadows, soundest kid you could ever meet heart was in the right place but mind was somewhere else at times, kid had nothing growing up in and out of foster care and tried his best to keep everyone happy.

"Miss ya already mate a swear down you've broke me heart a don't even know what to say a feel sorry for ya honest kid, love ya Cornet."

And Paul Nygaard, a mechanical engineer from South Shields, said: "Gonna miss you kid! R.I.P love ya!"

A fundraising page was set up by another friend, Natalia Ferriday, who said he was "a kind amazing young man".

"Everyone's friend who always had a smile on his face! This is a really tough time for his loved one, I'm sure everyone's kind words are giving them comfort," she wrote on the GoFundMe website.