NOVEMBER
2011 - New Incidents
GCN compiles
an on-going list of incidents involving guns. Click on the
link to view the original article.
We know that our information
is incomplete. The number of incidents in our lists is between 10
and 15 percent of the total number of firearms offences recorded in Home
Office and Scottish Government figures, though we believe nearly all of
the most serious crimes are being included. Your help in collecting more
information would be greatly appreciated. If you have any information
about an incident please contact us by email
contact@gun-control-network.org.
Please see
our explanation of
why we highlight incidents involving air weapons.
Quick jump
to Injuries (England),
Incidents Causing Fear
(England), Other Incidents
(England),
Scotland,
Wales,
Incidents Involving Animals
ENGLAND
Deaths
Daily Mail, 18 November 2011
A woman in
Somerset killed herself after she wrongly thought she had HIV. A
hypochondriac, the woman apparently shot herself with a
shotgun after believing she had
inflicted her husband with the virus and that they both were on track to
get AIDS.
This is Lincolnshire, 10 November 2011
A man was
shot and killed in Nottinghamshire. He had gone missing on
October 12 and his body was found in the river three days later. An
examination confirmed that he died from a gunshot wound to the head.
Police noted that a search around the river did not yield a gun.
Guardian, 4 November 2011
A
21-year-old man was killed in a shooting that took place at a funeral in
Camberwell, south London. A 17-year-old was also shot in
the ankle as gunfire disrupted the funeral of another 17-year-old who
had died in a car crash. Police initially arrested two 20-year-old men
and two 17-year-old girls. After the funeral shooting, two men were shot
in Wandsworth, south London and a fifth man was shot an hour
later. Police are investigating whether these incidents are related (LBC,
4 November 2011).
Injuries
Bedfordshire News,
26 November 2011
A
16-year-old was charged with attempted murder after shooting a man in a
restaurant in Bedford. The teen reportedly struck a man with
rifle pellets, wounding the victim. A second man, aged 24, was later
also arrested and charged with attempted murder (BBC
News, 10 December 2011). A second teenager, aged 17, was
also charged (Bedfordshire
News, 25 December 2011).
Croydon Guardian,
25 November 2011
Police
brought down a man by shooting him several times with a
stun gun after seeing him with a
toy gun in Norwood Junction,
south London. The victim had reportedly bought the toy weapon for 99p
for his son, and officers shot him upon spotting it, causing injuries to
the man's arms and legs.
Bury Times,
24 November 2011
A man was
shot in the leg outside a house in Bury. The victim was hit by a
gunshot as two masked men fired on him while he was in his car. He was
treated in hospital for his injuries and discharged.
LBC,
23 November
2011
A violent
armed robbery took place at a petrol station in Wealdstone,
northwest London. A man believed to be armed with a
sawn-off shotgun threatened
employees and struck a member of staff on the head with the weapon
before escaping with cash.
Peterborough Today,
21 November
2011
A man in
Guyhirn, Cambridgeshire was seriously injured after his car
crashed as he was apparently shot at by someone in another vehicle. Near
where a car had flipped into a ditch following a collision, police said
residents reported hearing gunfire. Officers arrested a man on suspicion
of attempted murder.
This is Local London,
19 November
2011
A man was
left fighting for his life at a hospital in Woodford Green,
northeast London. He was reportedly shot in an ice cream parlour that he
co-owns while cleaning up damage from a previous shooting at his store's
window. Police arrested a 21-year-old man and charged him with attempted
murder, possession of a shotgun with
intent to endanger life and an additional charge of possession of a
firearm with intent to endanger life. As of 30 Nov, he was still in
critical condition (Redbridge
News, 30 November 2011).
Croydon Advertiser,
18 November 2011
Police
brought down a man using a taser gun
in South Norwood, south London. The man was reportedly
armed with an imitation firearm, and
he was arrested on suspicion of assaulting police and possessing an
imitation firearm.
East London and West Essex Guardian,
16 November 2011
A man was
shot in Woodford Green, east London. The man, who was shot in an
ice cream parlour, was left in critical condition from the gunshot
wounds but is expected to survive. Police said they have not made any
arrests in connection with the incident.
BBC News,
12 November 2011
A customer
at a post office was shot in the leg during an armed robbery in
Lancashire. Three men raided the establishment and threatened a
staff member with a knife before shooting a 61-year-old man as he tried
to leave. The victim was taken to hospital with non life-threatening
injuries. The robbers escaped with cash.
Maidenhead Advertiser,
11 November 2011
A man was
shot in the chest and abdomen in Langley, Slough, and taken to
hospital. Police charged another man with possession of a firearm with
intent to endanger life and two counts of attempted murder. Two men have
been charged with two counts of attempted murder and possession of a
firearm with intent to endanger life (BBC
News, 16 November 2011).
Birmingham Mail,
10 November
2011
An armed
man attacked and robbed a woman in Handsworth, Birmingham. He
reportedly threatened her with what appeared to be a gun, pointing it at
her head and demanding cash. Then he punched and kicked her, knocking
her down. The attacker picked up her handbag and escaped on foot.
Gloucestershire Echo,
9 November
2011
A woman
was shot in the leg with an air rifle
while walking her dog in Cheltenham. She was taken to
hospital to have the pellet removed. Police said children aged 13 to 14
were spotted in the area around the time of the attack.
BBC News,
9 November
2011
Two men
attacked a staff member at a hotel in Devon. Police said the
attackers appeared to be armed with a shotgun
and a pistol, and they threatened a woman in addition to
assaulting the night porter. He was taken to hospital with minor
injuries.
Manchester Evening
News,
9 November
2011
A man was
shot with a taser gun by police in
Manchester. Officers were called after staff at a health centre
reported that he had threatened a woman as she left the centre. Police
brought down the man with the stun gun and took him into custody.
Blackpool Gazette,
5 November 2011
A man was
robbed and pistol-whipped while walking his dogs in Blackpool.
The victim reportedly attempted to fight the robber, who struck the man
repeatedly with the gun and also bit his thumb. The suspect was also
alleged to have been armed with a knife.
The Star,
2 November 2011
A man was
charged with assault and possession of an
imitation firearm and a woman was also arrested on suspicion
of assault. The pair were allegedly involved in an attack on a
17-year-old in Sheffield in which the victim was stabbed and
hospitalised.
Droitwich Standard,
1 November 2011
A man was
stabbed following an altercation in Droitwich, Worcestershire,
sustaining injuries not thought to be life-threatening. Two young men
aged 17 and 18 were arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and
possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Western Morning News,
1 November 2011
A man was
shot with a taser gun by police in
Cornwall. The man allegedly refused to leave his property when
officers approached, and after detaining him they recovered 'a number'
of firearms and other weapons.
INCIDENTS CAUSING FEAR
Dewsbury Reporter,
29 November
2011
Bomb squad
officers were called to a home in Cleckheaton, Kirklees. Police
said they recovered a firearm, an offensive weapon and cannabis plants
and had to evacuate the area when they also found a suspicious device. A
man was arrested on suspicion of his involvement and the area was
reopened after an investigation.
BBC News,
29 November
2011
An armed
robber held up a shop in Skelmersdale, Lancashire. Police said he
threatened two customers and a staff member with a gun and escaped with
cash.
This is Wiltshire,
28 November
2011
Gunfire
was reported in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. Police investigated the
area and arrested six teenagers in connection with the incident, which
apparently involved an BB gun. No
one was reported injured.
Peterborough Today,
26 November
2011
An armed
robber brandished a handgun at a bookmakers in Peterborough.
The staff refused to give him money, though, and hid in a back room. The
gunman then left the store empty-handed.
Croydon Advertiser,
25 November
2011
An armed
man attempted to rob a supermarket in Croydon, south London. He
reportedly threatened staff and customers with a gun but fled
empty-handed.
Sussex Courier,
25 November
2011
An
18-year-old man carried a handgun into a pub in Hawkhurst, Kent.
Police said they recovered the revolver, which had been deactivated, and
would destroy it. The teenager was charged with possessing a firearm
without a certificate.
BBC News,
24 November
2011
An armed
man held up a courier who was delivering cash to a bank in Hampshire.
He fled in a car after threatening the courier and stealing the money.
Telegraph and Argus,
24 November
2011
Police
recovered shotgun cartridges after a
drive-by shooting took place in Bradford. The cartridges were
reportedly found on the road after a weapon was fired into the air by a
group of young men, sparking fear in several residents of the
neighbourhood.
Oxford Student,
24 November
2011
An armed
robber held up a betting shop in Oxford. The man threatened a
staff member with a gun and raided the shop's safe, escaping with cash.
Northern Echo,
23 November
2011
A group of
men raided a couple's home in Carlton, North Yorkshire, tying the
victims up and stealing an imitation gun
as well as jewellery. Police said as many as five men were involved in
the robbery but that it wasn't linked to the fact that the couple own a
gun dealership. An officer noted that the firearm taken was 'an
ornamental gun and would only be used for decorative purposes.'
Manchester Evening News,
23 November
2011
Three
armed men invaded a couple's home in Old Trafford, Manchester.
The robbers reportedly threw a brick through their kitchen window and
threatened them with a gun and a knife. The couple escaped as the men
stole computer equipment and jewellery.
Manchester Evening News,
23 November
2011
Armed
robbers stole a large supply of mobile phones from a phone store in
West Didsbury, Manchester. The men threatened customers and staff
with a firearm as they stole cash and
£20k worth of phones.
Liverpool Echo,
23 November
2011
Shots were
fired on a street in Stockbridge Village, Liverpool. No one was
hit by the gunfire after the shots were apparently aimed at a man
standing outside a house. The gunman then escaped on foot, as residents
reported the gunshots to police.
Portsmouth Echo,
22 November
2011
Someone
reportedly shot an air gun pellet
through an office window in Gosport, Hampshire. A staff member at
the office was alarmed and hit by glass shards as a result of the
pellet's impact.
BBC News,
21 November
2011
Police
said a gun was fired at a house window in Hull. Officers said
they arrested one man in connection with the incident. No one was
reported injured.
Halifax Courier,
19 November
2011
After days
of hunting, police captured a wanted man in Halifax. He has been
arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear.
Leicester Mercury,
17 November
2011
Armed
robbers threatened a shop manager with a gun and knife. The men entered
a bookmakers shop in Coalville, Leicestershire and attacked the
victim, pushing him to the ground before vandalising his car and
escaping with cash.
Falmouth People,
17 November
2011
A man was
arrested in Falmouth, Cornwall after police received
reports of someone possessing a gun in the town. Officers located their
suspect, who is charged with breaching bail conditions, but they did not
recover a firearm.
Sunday Sun,
16 November
2011
Police
were called in Northumberland when members of the public reported
a man brandishing a gun in a home. Officers arrested the suspect on
suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence,
and they recovered an air weapon
from the home.
Thames Valley Police,
15 November
2011
An armed
robbery was carried out at a pub in Milton-Keynes. Four men
entered via a fire door and threatened a member of staff with a gun
before the group escaped with cash.
Lynn News,
12 November
2011
Four
teenage boys in Lynn were arrested after they reportedly stole a
machete and air rifles from an
allotment shed and threatened people with the weapons. One boy is
alleged to have frightened cyclists by pulling the trigger on an
unloaded air rifle as he pointed at them. The boys, aged 14 to 17, were
all arrested and received various charges related to the burglary and
possession of the weapons.
Bedforshire
News,
8 November
2011
Two men
armed with a handgun held up a store in Bedfordshire. After
threatening staff with the gun, the robbers took cash and escaped on
foot.
BBC News,
8 November
2011
Two
shotguns and a rifle were stolen from a
home in County Durham. The firearms, which were legally owned,
were taken by thieves along with cash.
The Enquirer,
8 November
2011
An armed
man robbed a shop in South Ockendon, Essex. The man reportedly
threatened staff by showing them a handgun, but after an alarm was set
off he fled empty-handed.
The Sentinel,
8 November
2011
Sacha
Markovic, who was sentenced to 10 years in jail for robbing a post
office with a shotgun, has escaped
from prison in Suffolk. Markovic had been granted temporary leave
and went on the run, launching a 'nationwide man hunt' by police.
This is Lancashire,
7 November
2011
Two armed
men attempted to rob a shop in Chorley, Lancashire. One allegedly
pointed a gun at the shop owner and hit him in the throat, demanding
money. However, the pair fled empty-handed as the frightened shop owner
did not give away any cash.
Sunderland Echo,
4 November
2011
A man who
killed one partner and was jailed for abusing another partner is
apparently on the run. Shaun Gibbons disappeared in Wearside and
witnesses reported seeing a man carrying a gun. Police recovered a
replica handgun at the scene. Gibbons choked his girlfriend to death in
1991 and was handed a reduced murder charge of 'manslaughter on the
grounds of provocation'. He served two years before being released and
he eventually married another woman, then was jailed for stalking and
bullying her during a two-month campaign of terror.
BBC News,
4 November
2011
Two men
attempted to rob a petrol station in Nottingham. The men
threatened staff with a firearm and a knife, but when the victims
refused to hand over money the robbers fled empty-handed.
This is Leicestershire,
4 November
2011
A
shotgun was fired at a house in
Donisthorpe, Leicestershire. The shot was reportedly fired at a
downstairs window, and the occupants of the house were not hit. It was
not reported whether the weapon is legally owned.
Huddersfield Daily Examiner,
3 November
2011
Four
teenagers held up a takeaway restaurant in Huddersfield. One of
the youths allegedly threatened a staff member with a gun and the group
escaped with cash.
This is Local London,
3 November
2011
A gunshot
was fired in Gipsy Hill, south London. The shot was reportedly
fired at a house during the night, and it did not strike anyone.
BBC News,
2 November
2011
An armed
man carrying what appeared to be a handgun attempted to rob a post office in Surrey.
The man threatened staff but fled empty-handed
when an employee activated an alarm.
Liverpool Echo,
1 November
2011
Daniel
Challinor, 18, is wanted by Liverpool police after breaching the
terms of his conditional release. He was originally jailed after being
convicted of possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and
burglary.
Other Incidents
Manchester Evening News,
30 November
2011
Police
recovered a handgun in Manchester city centre after receiving a
report that a man had discarded a package at the scene. Officers
reportedly secured a handgun and, with the help of CCTV footage, located
the suspect nearby. He was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm
and drugs.
Evening Gazette,
29 November
2011
A teenager
was arrested for possessing an imitation gun
in Cleveland. Police initially arrested a 17-year-old and a
19-year-old on suspicion of carrying the imitation firearm. However, the
younger boy was released without charge, while the 19-year-old was
charged with the firearm violation as well as possession of drugs.
Shropshire Star,
28 November
2011
A police
officer in Shrewsbury accidentally fired his handgun in a police
station garage. The officer was reportedly cleaning his semi-automatic
pistol when the gun fired. No one was reported injured, and the former
firearms officer has been disciplined and given a new role.
Croydon Today,
25 November
2011
Police
recovered shotgun ammunition in
during a series of house raids in Croydon, south London. Officers
arrested large quantities of drugs and drug paraphernalia and arrested
five people as a result of the searches.
BBC News,
23 November
2011
Three
women have been arrested in connection with a machine gun that was
recovered from a home in Manchester. Police also recovered a
loaded air pistol, and charged each
of the three women with two counts of possession of prohibited weapons.
Knutsford Guardian,
23 November
2011
Police in
Knutsford, Cheshire reportedly recovered a
stun gun in a pub where they were expecting to find drugs.
A group of around 30 police officers raided the establishment, and they
arrested one man in connection with the incident.
Bourne Local,
23 November
2011
A man was
arrested in Huyton, Liverpool on suspicion of money laundering,
possession of a prohibited firearm and being concerned in the production
of cannabis. He was captured as part of a large sting by Merseyside
police involving eight arrests.
Yorkshire Evening Post,
16 November
2011
Police
arrested a man in Leeds who is suspected to be involved with a
shooting at a pub in September. A shotgun
was used in that incident as the victim was shot in the back, leaving
him with serious injuries.
Liverpool Echo,
12 November
2011
Police
recovered a pistol when they raided a woman's home in Liverpool.
The 23-year-old is alleged to have plotted with two men and she has been
charged with conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger
life.
Express and Star,
11 November
2011
Police
recovered a BB gun, a taser gun, a
machete, a knife, drugs and cash from three homes owned by the same
family in Coseley, Dudley. Three people were arrested in
connection with the raids.
Berwick Advertiser,
11 November
2011
A man was
arrested in Belford, Northumberland and charged with possession
of a firearm without holding a firearms certificate. He allegedly was
sent an air weapon by his mother,
who lives in the U.S., but customs intercepted it.
Liverpool Echo,
10 November
2011
Police
recovered four guns and drugs hidden in the woods in Croxteth,
Liverpool. Officers found a shotgun
and three handguns after tip-offs from members of the public about the
storage location.
Yorkshire Evening Post,
10 November
2011
Police
recovered an imitation firearm
during a swoop in Leeds, arresting and charging two people
with possession. The replica gun, which is made to look just like a
lethal weapon and can be converted to fire live rounds, is illegal under
UK law.
Yorkshire Evening Post,
4 November
2011
Police
executed a firearms arrest warrant to raid a home in West Yorkshire,
where they seized an illegally owned handgun and arrested five occupants
of the house on suspicion of possession of a firearm and ammunition. One
day before, the same squad raided two other homes and recovered a loaded
handgun and a taser gun, arresting
one occupant in each case.
Watford Observer,
4 November
2011
Police
recovered 67 weapons in Watford and Three Rivers,
Hertfordshire, in the past year. The haul includes a loaded
air gun, a
sawn-off shotgun, three imitation
firearms and an additional gun.
SCOTLAND
STV, 21 November 2011
Three men
attempted to rob a bank in Glasgow with a
stun gun. They threatened a guard with the weapon but
after a struggle ensued, the men drove off empty-handed.
STV, 18 November 2011
Two men
attacked a shop assistant during an armed raid at a wine store in
Newton Means, near Glasgow. The men threatened her with a knife and
a weapon believed to have been a firearm, and they inflicted minor hand
and facial injuries before escaping with cash.
Dumfries and Galloway Standard, 18 November 2011
Six guns
were stolen from a farmer's home in Dumfries. The haul included
five shotguns and a rifle, all
legally owned prior to their theft. Now police have said they are
searching for the missing guns in hopes they don't 'fall into the wrong
hands'. In addition to stealing the firearms, the burglars took cash and
other items.
Daily Record, 11 November 2011
An armed
man held up a store in Larkhall, Lanarkshire, but the shopkeeper
fought him off. The attacker escaped on foot empty-handed, but still in
possession of the gun.
Herald Scotland, 3 November 2011
Two masked
men robbed a post office in Glasgow. The men allegedly threatened
a staff member with a gun and then fired a gunshot at the ceiling,
before escaping with cash.
Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser, 2 November 2011
Three men
were arrested and charged with conspiring to commit a theft as well as
possession of a firearm and ammunition in Coatbridge, North
Lanarkshire. Police swooped on the men because they believed the
suspects were about to attempt an armed robbery nearby.
WALES
South Wales Argus,
7 November 2011
Two men
carried out an armed robbery in Fernhill. The men reportedly
invaded a flat and threatened the occupants with the weapon. They
attacked a man by pistol-whipping him, as he sustained face and head
injuries and was hospitalised.
INCIDENTS INVOLVING ANIMALS
Shoreham Herald,
28 November 2011
Someone
shot a foal with an air gun in
Soutwick, Wiltshire. The 18-month-old horse was left with an air
pellet lodged in her hind leg. The 'flabbergasted' owners said they were
concerned about the risk of infection and it wasn't immediately known
whether the pellet would cause long-term damage.
Daily Mail,
23 November 2011
A
cat was shot with an air gun in
Bracknell. He survived the incident as the pellet, which vets chose
to leave inside him, missed his spine.
Bracknell News,
23 November 2011
A
cat was shot with an air gun in
Bracknell. He survived the incident as the pellet, which vets chose
to leave inside him, missed his spine.
About My Area,
23 November 2011
A
cat was shot in the side with an air rifle in
Loughborough. The pet's owner noticed a pellet in its side and
was able to get it to the vet for treatment.
Spenborough Guardian,
20 November 2011
A
cat was shot in the head with an pellet gun
in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire. The pellet narrowly
missed his brain but went into his right eye, causing bleeding from the
eye. He will survive the incident but may lose sight in the eye.
Leicester Mercury,
16 November 2011
A
cat died after being shot with an air gun in
Whitwick, Leicestershire. The owner took her to the vet after
noticing she was in pain, and the vet discovered an air gun pellet
lodged in her side. Despite the owner's hopes that she would make a full
recovery, the cat died in his arms the following day.
Hucknall Dispatch,
12 November 2011
A
cat lost an eye after being shot with an air gun in
Hucknall, Nottingham. Vets were apparently able to save his life
because they operated immediately, but had to remove his left eye due to
the pellet wound.
The Visitor,
5 November 2011
A
cat was shot with an air gun in
Overton, Lancashire. A vet said the cat had a pellet lodged near his
spine and near his liver.
Burton Mail, 4 November 2011
A person
who shot and killed six wild birds in Burton is wanted as the
animals are protected by law. The perpetrator used an
air gun to shoot three geese, two
pigeons and a Mallard duck near a 40-acre lake, leaving them each to
suffer a 'lingering death' after hitting them with pellets.
Medway Messenger, 4 November 2011
A
cat was shot in the chest with an air gun
in Kent. He is expected to recover after undergoing a
successful operation.
Peterlee Mail, 2 November 2011
A
cat had its leg amputated after being shot with an
air rifle
in Hartlepool. An air gun pellet shattered his back right
leg, and the animal is now learning to live without it.
