Watch dramatic moment police shoot armed man after he refuses to lower weapon – national

THIS is the dramatic moment that police officers shot an armed man after he refused to stop brandishing his firearm.
Moment police shot an armed man. Picture: Durham ConstabularyMoment police shot an armed man. Picture: Durham Constabulary
Moment police shot an armed man. Picture: Durham Constabulary

Body camera footage released by Durham Constabulary today shows armed officers fire on the man after he refused repeated request to put the weapon down, during an incident in Bishop Auckland last year. 

During the video, officers can be heard yelling ‘put it down’, and saying that ‘we don't want to shoot you’. 

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Sam Houlihan was carrying a replica weapon when he was shot by firearms officers on the morning of Friday, May 25 last year.

Moment police shot an armed man. Picture: Durham ConstabularyMoment police shot an armed man. Picture: Durham Constabulary
Moment police shot an armed man. Picture: Durham Constabulary
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The 24-year-old, of Bishop Auckland, admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possessing a firearm when prohibited.

He appeared at Durham Crown Court today via videolink where he was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order under the Mental Health Act. 

Houlihan had bought the Sig Sauer P226 air pistol on the morning of the incident after lying to the shop assistant that he was not banned from owning a firearm.

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Later that morning he got a taxi to Cockton Hill working men’s club where he was caught on CCTV inside the building carrying the weapon.

He then made his way to a nearby convenience store where he bought a bottle of whisky before getting back in the taxi.

Armed police then surrounded the vehicle on Rochester Close after being alerted by members of the public who had seen him carrying a gun.

Houlihan ignored repeated requests from police to not raise the weapon and to comply with their orders. As a consequence, he was shot and suffered a wound to his arm.

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The officers immediately approached Houlihan and gave him first aid until paramedics arrived. 

During today’s sentencing, Judge Christopher Prince said the officers involved should be commended for their conduct during the incident.

‘They were very professional, they were calm and they were composed,’ he said.

‘I am reassured, and I am sure other people will be reassured to know that Durham Constabulary employ such professional officers who will readily respond to a production of a firearm or any other weapon quickly and calmly.’

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Detective Chief Superintendent Adrian Green, from Durham Constabulary, said: ‘Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the incident involving Houlihan.

‘It is still unclear what Houlihan’s intentions were, but his possession of a firearm in a public place was reckless and frightening to the public and attending police officers.

‘While incidents of this nature are rare, it demonstrates clearly the dangers of possessing firearms and replica firearms in public. It also shows Durham Constabulary’s ability and commitment to deal with these types of incidents and keep our communities safe.'