Londonderry: Ombudsman investigating after man shot and police officer stabbed

A probe has been launched by the police ombudsman for Northern Ireland after a man was shot in the chest and a police officer injured in Derry.

The incident happened in Celandine Court in Gobnascale on Saturday night.

In a statement, a PSNI spokesperson said: "Police in Derry/Londonderry responded to a report of concern for safety for a man at an address in Celandine Court in Gobnascale at approximately 10:45pm last night (Saturday, 17th April).

"As officers were dealing with the incident, a police firearm was discharged and the male sustained a chest injury. He remains in hospital at this time.

"A police officer sustained a knife wound to his arm and head during the incident and he was taken to hospital for treatment.

"The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has been informed and is investigating."

A spokesman for the Police Ombudsman's Office said: "Our investigators are at the scene and are making inquiries to establish the circumstances of what happened.

"At this stage, we know that police went to the flat after receiving a call for assistance. There was then a confrontation during which one police officer sustained stab wounds and police discharged CS spray and a single gunshot.

"Police notified the Police Ombudsman's on-call team about the incident and our investigators have been making inquiries at the scene throughout the night.''

The spokesman added that the Ombudsman's office is keen to hear from anyone who knows anything about what happened and may be able to assist their inquiries to contact them.

Sinn Fein MLA Martina Anderson said she is "deeply shocked'' and "very concerned'' about the shooting of a "vulnerable individual by the PSNI''.

Ms Anderson said: "The man is in intensive care in hospital and my first thoughts are that I hope he will survive his injuries.

"A police officer also suffered a stab wound during the incident. Thankfully the officer has been released from hospital and I hope he too makes a full recovery.''

She said she has contacted senior police and the Police Ombudsman to convey her "grave concerns that lethal force has been used in this incident."

"The PSNI needs to be provide the public with a full explanation about this shooting of a vulnerable man,'' she added.