Raoul Moat: timeline of a fugitive
Updated on 10 July 2010
The hunt for Raoul Moat lasted a week and ended in a tense six hour stand off between the fugitive and armed police. Channel 4 News sets out the timeline of events, from Moat's release from prison to his death.
Thursday, 1 July
Moat, from Newcastle, is released from Durham prison. The former bouncer served a short sentence for assault.
Saturday, 3 July, 02.40am
A woman, named locally as Samantha Stobbart, is shot twice through the window of a house in Scafell, Birtley. She is fighting for her life in hospital.
Moments later, her partner Chris Brown is shot outside the property and dies on the ground. A post mortem is set to take place today.
Saturday, 3 July, morning
Police begin a major manhunt and name a man they believe to be connected with the shootings - Raoul Moat.
Sunday, 4 July, 00.45am
An armed man, who police believe to be Moat, shoots a police officer at a roundabout in East Denton, near Newcastle. The officer, who was later named as PC David Rathband, is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
Sunday, 4 July, morning
Police upgrade the hunt to a 'major incident' and set up an incident room, warning police not to approach Moat. They say he is "very dangerous" and urge anyone who knows his whereabouts to come forward.
Sunday, 4 July, afternoon
Police issue an extraordinary personal appeal to Moat to turn himself in for the sake of his three children - but he remains on the loose, armed and dangerous.
Monday, 5 July, morning
Armed police continue to hunt for the suspected gunman for a third day. At a press conference Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Adamson said police had received a hand-written letter purportedly from Moat.
There were indications that other people may also be at risk, the detective said, and a number of them had been given police protection.
It also emerged that police were warned by Durham Prison, where Moat was held until Thursday, that he may be planning to harm his ex-girlfriend. The case has been referred to the independent police watchdog, Northumbria Police said.
Monday, 5 July, evening
A picture of Pc Rathbrand after he was shot is released by police at his request in the hope of catching the suspect. The Northumbria Police officer was shot in the face and chest as he sat in his stationary patrol car in East Denton, Newcastle, on Sunday.
Tuesday, 6 July
Excerpts of the Moat's letter to police emerge in The Sun newspaper where ther suspect reportedly says he has "declared war on Northumbria Police". In the 40-page handwritten document Moat appears to admit to his actions, claiming he was "pushed", adding he "went straight but they couldn't let it go".
Wednesday, 7 July
Police reveal that another letter from Moat was found in a tent in a secluded spot near Rothbury.
Police offer a £10,000 reward for information which leads to Moat being captured.
Thursday, 8 July
Two men arrested in connection with the hunt for Moat are charged with conspiracy to commit murder and possessing a firearm with intent. Police say information has emerged that Moat has made threats towards the wider public. Police arrest a man and a woman in Blyth, Northumberland on suspicion of assisting an offender. A news blackout notice is issued to the media.
Friday, 9 July
Police reveal they have found three of Moat's mobile phones and are pursuing fresh leads in connection with the information recovered from them. Tt emerges an armed Moat has been cornered next to a riverbank in Rothbury. He is surrounded by police snipers, with police negotiators moving in.
Saturday, 10 July
Gunshot is heard at the stand-off scene as well as shouting from police officers. Police confirm Moat shot himself, and no shots were fired by police officers. He is taken off in an ambulance and pronounced dead on arrival at Newcastle General Hospital. It is revealed by police two Taser guns were fired by officers shortly before Moat's death.
