Hunt for gunman after drinker shot

Sep 11 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

A MANHUNT was under way last night after a gunman shot a drinker at close range before fleeing a busy Tyneside pub.

More than 15 regulars witnessed the attack which took place in the Turnpike pub, on Hillhead Parkway, Chapel House, Newcastle, at around 8pm on Tuesday.

A 25-year-old man received emergency treatment at the scene after two men approached him in the bar and one fired a single shot into his stomach.

It is thought he knew his attackers and he was targeted as part of an ongoing feud.

He was taken to Newcastle General Hospital where he underwent surgery to his lower abdomen. His injuries were said to be not life-threatening.

Immediately after the incident, a cordon was set up around the building and the nearby shopping complex.

Three police vans and six cars attended the scene, along with paramedics in an ambulance.

Forensic teams were yesterday conducting investigations at the pub as they combed the nearby car park and dusted for fingerprints.

A Newcastle CID spokesman said: “We are looking for people who were in and around the pub at around 8pm last night to contact us.

“There appeared to be two men involved in the incident, one of whom shot the victim inside the bar. Both men then ran away.

“We need to know if they got into a vehicle or in which direction they escaped.”

The shooting has shocked the close-knit community of Chapel House, where a number of residents expressed concerns.

An 83-year-old pensioner, who lives just yards from the pub, said she had feared going to bed after the incident. She said: “I first saw what was going on at about 9.15pm. I was shaking because I was so frightened. I had to ring my sister and I had visions of them coming over the road and looking for somebody else.

“It’s a lovely neighbourhood, though, and the manageress in the pub is really lovely.”

However another local homeowner, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he had stopped drinking in the pub because groups of youngsters had made him feel threatened.

He said: “We used to drink in there but there was a big mob of teenagers and one night they started throwing pool balls at each other.” A man, 19, who lives nearby and wanted to remain anonymous, said his brother had been drinking in the pub when the attack happened.

He said: “My brother rang and told me what was going on. Apparently he was in the pub and said people were being questioned by police.

“I don’t think he saw what happened, but no one could leave before the police had finished with them.”

It is not the first time the peace has been shattered in the area.

Raymond Bannon, 29, died after he was found with stab wounds outside the Turnpike at 11.15pm on Millennium Eve.

A man was arrested and charged with the killing. However, in November 2000, he was cleared at Newcastle Crown Court.