A 21-year-old man was shot by police after he was reportedly seen carrying what officers believed to be a crossbow during an incident in Newport, South Wales.
Gwent Police said officers were called to an address on St Edward Street at about 11:55 p.m. on Friday following reports of threatening behaviour.
According to the force, specially trained firearms officers responded after the man was spotted in possession of a weapon believed to be a crossbow.
During the operation, officers discharged a police-issued firearm, striking the 21-year-old Newport resident.
He was taken to hospital, where he remains in a stable condition. Police described the incident as isolated and confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public.
They also said they are not searching for anyone else in connection with the incident. Deputy Chief Constable Nicholas McLain acknowledged that the shooting could cause concern among residents but stressed that reports involving firearms and weapons are uncommon in Gwent.
“While reports of offences involving firearms and weapons are rare in Gwent, we take all reports of this nature seriously and respond to them in a professional and proportionate manner based on the level of risk posed by the available information,” he said.
As is standard procedure following a police shooting, Gwent Police has referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which will oversee an independent investigation.
Police have appealed to anyone with information to contact Gwent Police on 101, quoting log reference 2600220612
