How split second decision of strangers helped save life of Washington shooting victim

John Dees used a sawn-off shotgun to blast his victim from the passenger side door of his car after the former friends fell out, sparking the shocking street attack on Thursday, October 10, last year.

He has now been jailed for 21 years over the shooting.

Leaving his victim lying on the ground for dead, the 33-year-old thug drove off away from outside the One Stop shop in Blue House Lane in Washington, and began efforts to cover his tracks.

Today, as Dees is given his sentence, the officer who led inquiries said it is down to the quick actions of witnesses which helped save the man’s life.

The 28-year-old victim was left with life-changing injuries and was treated for a large gunshot wound to his chest, shattered ribs and damage to his liver.

Detective Sergeant Steve Brown, of Northumbria Police’s homicide and major inquiry team, said people on the spot realised there was not time to wait for paramedics.

“It’s really thanks to the initial witnesses at the scene, because they acted so swiftly and knew they needed to get him to hospital,” he said.

“They gave him first aid and realised how badly injured he was.

“They took him to hospital in their own vehicle, two complete strangers, while his friend rang ahead.

“It’s because of the communication between the driver, his friend and the NHS being ready to do what they do is why he survived and that has got to be nothing short of a miracle.”

Det Sgt Brown said it was then thanks to the community his team was able to make quick progress in the inquiry, with the gun Dees had ditched in a rucksack with unspent cartridges at an empty address next door to a friend’s house seized within hours, while Dees was traced and arrested.

The officer added: “The community rallied round and knew to do the right thing.

“This was a serious incident and we put all available resources that we had into to take that firearm out of the community.”