Two further men charged following shooting in South Shields
Two further men have been charged as part of a UK-wide firearms conspiracy following a shooting in South Shields.
Shortly after 3pm on September 16, police received a report of a disturbance on Heaton Gardens. It was reported that offenders in a car pulled outside an address and discharged a firearm, before making off.
Nobody was injured but an investigation was immediately launched into the incident.
In October, six people were charged in connection with the shooting following a series of dawn raids that were executed in South Tyneside and London, with Northumbria Police supported by the Metropolitan Police in coordinated arrest strikes.
Two further men have now been charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence – taking the total number to eight.
Paul Momat, 34, of Owen Drive, West Boldon, and Tyran Baglin, 23, of no fixed abode, are due to appear before magistrates in South Tyneside today (Thursday).
Speaking after October’s arrest activity, Assistant Chief Constable David Felton, of Northumbria Police, said: “Incidents of this nature are rare and our Force remains one of the safest places in the country to live and work.
“As a Force, we are committed to using every tactic at our disposal in order to tackle serious and violent criminality and ensure perpetrators are dealt with swiftly and robustly.
“This outcome has been possible due to some outstanding teamwork between Northumbria Police, Metropolitan Police, North East Regional Specialist Operations Unit (NERSOU) and our criminal justice partners. I would like to thank everyone who played their part in these proactive arrests.
“I would like to reassure our communities that a full and thorough investigation has been ongoing ever since this incident, which has culminated in a number of suspects being charged as part of this conspiracy.
“Under the banner of Operation Sentinel, we will continue to have a zero-tolerance approach towards serious and violent crime – and will do everything in our power to continue to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
“I would also like to thank those in our communities who have already come forward to assist with this significant investigation. By working together, we can ensure Northumbria remains a safe place to live and work.”
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20210916-0600.