Two charged as 19 arrested in Sunderland shooting probe

Northumbira Police arrested four more people today as part of enquires after a house window was shot at in Edgmond Court in Hollycarrside, on Monday. Nineteen men and women between the ages of 20 and 60 across Sunderland and Newcastle have so far been arrested in connection with the investigation. No-one was in the house at the time of the shooting, which police believe is connected to on-going feud between two rival gangs in the city. A man, aged 27,has appeared before North Tyneside Magistrates' Court charged with robbery, burglary, possession of a firearm, shotgun and ammunition, threatening a person with a bladed article and driving with no insurance. A second man, aged 51, has been charged with possession of a firearm, amphetamines and cannabis Both men, who are from Newcastle, were remanded in custody until March 30. Of the others arrested, two remain in police custody. Since the incident on Monday, police have carried out numerous house searches and made a number of arrests. On Tuesday, two vehicles were stopped in Fulwell Road and five men arrested. Southern Area Command Temporary Supt Sarah Pitt said: "Our investigation is continuing to gather pace as we unravel the events that led to the illegal use of a firearm on Monday and relentlessly pursue those suspected of being involved. "We anticipate there will be even more arrests as we continue to carry out activity to cause disruption to the lives of people we suspect are connected to this dispute. "I'd like to reiterate that thankfully the number of crimes involving firearms in the city is very low and incidents like this do not happen very often. However, when they do happen those involved can expect a robust response from police and we make no apology for this. "Police will continue to carry out regular patrols throughout the city, they are there to offer reassurance to local communities and I would urge anyone who is concerned to approach an officer on patrol and speak to them." Anyone with information about the incident on Monday or the on-going dispute should contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference 511 290216 or they can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.