19 May 2025 , 07:00
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Armed police have established a cordon on the High Street while they respond to a shocking firearms incident that began to unfold on Sunday evening in County Down
Members of the public are being warned to avoid a UK high street after multiple gunshots were heard on Sunday evening, May 18.
Armed police swarmed the High Street in Bangor, Northern Ireland, with videos appearing to show officers in a tense standoff with an individual.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that up to four shots were fired, however, there has been no information about any possible casualties in the incident unfolding in County Down.
People near the scene in Bangor told BelfastLive that a number of marked and unmarked police cars were seen driving at high speed towards the incident on the High Street.
Witnesses could be seen hiding in fear as shots rang out on Bangor High Street(Image: @X)
Unconfirmed videos of the incident show three armed officers engaging with an individual inside a local taxi firm’s office. A cordon remains in place while police respond to the incident.
Around 30 armed officers are understood to have attended the scene in Bangor.
Police could be heard shouting at the man to "put the gun down" in some videos circulating, while the man in the standoff asks "How are you going to help me?"
The Police Service of Northern Ireland warned Bangor residents in the aftermath: "Members of the public are advised to avoid the High Street area of Bangor while police deal with an ongoing incident.
"Cordons are in place. An update will be provided in due course."
Ongoing incident in Bangor? Apparently people in nearby bars asked to head out the back. pic.twitter.com/S5VtqRi52B
— Paul.Nelson (@batsy09) May 18, 2025
Other videos of the incident show PSNI officers with their guns drawn escorting a bystander away from the incident, shielding the man with their bodies.
A local councillor, Pete Wray for the Ards Peninsula, later confirmed that a male was involved in the believed firearms incident, with PSNI officers detaining the individual. Cllr Wray said: “Male has been detained and the area is safe.
"It’s been a challenging weekend for the PSNI in Ards and North Down, and I thank them for their service as always.”
Initial reports indicate that the suspect is receiving medical care after the standoff with police and told officers that he was a British Army veteran.
World Affairs Correspondent