Washington shooting latest: Victim is battling 'life-changing injuries' after 'isolated incident'

The 28-year-old victim of a daylight shooting in Washington has suffered “life-changing injuries”.
Police dog unit attend the scene of the shooting in Blue House Lane, WashingtonPolice dog unit attend the scene of the shooting in Blue House Lane, Washington
Police dog unit attend the scene of the shooting in Blue House Lane, Washington

At 2pm on Thursday, October 10, emergency services were called to the Blue House Lane in Washington to reports a 28-year-old man had been shot.

John Dees, 33, of no fixed address, was charged on Saturday, October 12, with attempted murder and possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life.

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Crime scene cordon was in place for more than 24 hours at Blue House LaneCrime scene cordon was in place for more than 24 hours at Blue House Lane
Crime scene cordon was in place for more than 24 hours at Blue House Lane

Now Northumbria Police want to reassure the community in Washington that “isolated incidents” like this normally “just don’t happen here”.

At a Police and Communities Together meeting, held at the Millennium Centre, in Washington, on Sunday, October 13, Neighbourhood Inspector Nick Gjorven spoke to concerned residents.

Discussing the shooting, Insp Gjorven said the victim has suffered “life-changing injuries” after he was shot with a sawn off shotgun.

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He said a “good-natured bystander” took the victim to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Gateshead.

File picture: Nick Gjorven spoke to residents in WashingtonFile picture: Nick Gjorven spoke to residents in Washington
File picture: Nick Gjorven spoke to residents in Washington

The 28-year-old remains at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, in a critical but stable condition.

“Shootings just don’t happen here in Washington or the North East,” Insp Gjorven said. “This was an isolated incident.”

He added: “We were getting calls from the schools and the comprehensives because the rumour mill had started and people were worried there was a gunman on the loose. This was an isolated incident.

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“What I can reassure you is that with violent crime here, 95% of the time is people are known to them. I wouldn’t be concerned here that you’re going to be attacked with a knife by a complete stranger or you’re going to get assaulted randomly.

“It can happen anywhere but the statistic and the data tells us that that isn’t prevalent in Washington.”

Police are eager for any witnesses or vehicle owners with dashcam footage of the area to come forward.

Call 101 quoting log 569 10/10/19.