Family of man shot by police in South Shields face funeral delay

James Wilson, 24, had been in an induced coma at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital after being shot by armed Northumbria Police officers responding to reports of a man in possession of a handgun in the early hours of last Tuesday in Frenchmans Way, Horsley Hill, South Shields.

His death is the subject of an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

His brother Carl says the family are still struggling to come to terms with Mr Wilson’s death and say not knowing when his body will be released to them, so they can plan his funeral, is causing further anguish.

The 27-year-old said: “We have no idea when we will be given James so that we can plan his funeral.

“They are still doing the autopsy. We have been told it could be two more weeks but we don’t know. We are just waiting.

“We are all struggling and not being able to plan his funeral is hard. This just shouldn’t have happened.”

A fundraising page has been set up in memory of Mr Wilson, of Candlish Street, Westoe, South Shields, to help his family cover the cost of his funeral.

The page, created by Natalia Ferriday, has raised £500 towards the £1,000 target.

Mr Wilson added: “It’s great that a friend of the family has set up a Go Fund Me page for James.

“The money will be used to help pay for the funeral.”

The IPCC says its investigation into the incident is ongoing.

It revealed that a ‘non-police weapon’ was recovered from the scene. Mr Wilson’s family have told the Gazette that it was a BB gun.

James’s brother said the bullet went through James’s liver and also damaged one of his lungs.

Despite being operated on, medics were unable to save him.

To make a donation, visit R.I.P James Wilson on the Go Fund Me website.