Family anxiously awaiting news as man shot by police in South Shields remains critical

A South Shields man who was shot by police remains in a critical condition after a second operation.
A picture of James Wilson shared by his family.A picture of James Wilson shared by his family.
A picture of James Wilson shared by his family.

James Wilson, 24, is currently under the care of doctors at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital after he was shot by police on Tuesday morning.

He underwent a second operation yesterday, but his brother, Carl Wilson Jr, says James is still critical.

James Wilson is in an induced coma fighting for his life in hospital after being shot by police in South Shields. Picture supplied by James' family.James Wilson is in an induced coma fighting for his life in hospital after being shot by police in South Shields. Picture supplied by James' family.
James Wilson is in an induced coma fighting for his life in hospital after being shot by police in South Shields. Picture supplied by James' family.
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The 27-year-old said: “He’s still really poorly. He had an operation yesterday, they were removing the packing they’d put in to stop the bleeding to see how he was doing.

“They’re just saying he’s still really sick. Everyone is doing as well as they can be and we’re all just trying to stay strong.”

Officers were called to Frenchmans Way in Horsley Hill, South Shields, at 1.02am on Tuesday to reports of a man in possession of a handgun and James was shot.

He was taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary and has since been transferred to the Freeman.

Armed police shooting at Frenchmans WayArmed police shooting at Frenchmans Way
Armed police shooting at Frenchmans Way
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James, of Candlish Street, Westoe, has been put into an induced coma by doctors who operated on him for nine hours when he was admitted.

Carl said the bullet went through James’ liver and came out the other side, also damaging his lungs.

He said: “The doctors have said everything is critical and we’re just waiting to see what’s happening.

“We all just feel horrible.”

James Wilson is in an induced coma fighting for his life in hospital after being shot by police in South Shields. Picture supplied by James' family.James Wilson is in an induced coma fighting for his life in hospital after being shot by police in South Shields. Picture supplied by James' family.
James Wilson is in an induced coma fighting for his life in hospital after being shot by police in South Shields. Picture supplied by James' family.

Carl says his brother was carrying a BB gun when he went to his girlfriend’s home on Tuesday in response to a dispute with another man.

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He said: “He was arguing with his girlfriend because they wouldn’t let him in the house. If they had just let him in none of this would have happened.”

His brother said that James did fire a BB gun during the dispute.

An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation has been launched.

Carl has been at James’ bedside since Tuesday with his mum Tracey Todd, sister Stacey Wilson, 30, brother-in-law Kieron Casey and other relatives.