Man shot in ‘attempted murder’ on ‘quiet’ Gainford estate

Emergency services were called to Balmer Hill in Gainford at 8.10pm on Saturday (August 29) after a car had driven there and gunshots fired at the home.

A 46-year-old man is in hospital in a ‘critical, but stable’ condition with birdshot injuries to his abdomen.

A 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and both remain in custody.

(Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The boy has also been arrested on suspicion of theft, failing to stop and driving without a licence, police said.

Pictures from the scene show holes the door where shots were fired, with the front window smashed through and shards of glass strewn across the ground on the driveway.

Neighbours described the street as ‘quiet’, with one saying: “Nothing ever happens here.

“A couple of weeks ago some milk was pinched from a doorstep and there was hell on, but it’s a quiet place.

“I feel safer now with the police here.”

(Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Police officers were seen at the cordon surrounding the house on Sunday (August 30) and CSI teams in white overalls were working inside and outside the home, filling large brown evidence bags.

A spokesperson for Durham Police said: “An investigation has been launched after a man was shot in Gainford last night.

(Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“Emergency services were called to an address in Balmer Hill just after 8.10pm following reports that suspects had driven to a house and fired at it from their car before making off.

“A 46-year-old man suffered birdshot injuries to his abdomen and was taken to hospital. His condition has been described as critical but stable.

“No one else at the address was injured and officers remain at the scene today.

“A 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

“The boy has also been arrested on suspicion of theft, failing to stop and driving without a licence. They both remain in custody.”

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We were called to an incident at a private address in Gainford, Darlington at 8.10pm on Saturday, August 29.

“We dispatched one ambulance crew, one duty officer, one clinical team leader and were supported by Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

“One person was taken to hospital by road.”

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident reference 479 of August 29.