Newtownabbey man allegedly wounded PSNI officer shot with his own gun after lunging at him for a hug, court told
A man allegedly wounded an off-duty PSNI officer shot with his own gun after lunging at him for a hug, a court heard on Wednesday (April 15).
Kyle Knell is accused of seizing the loaded Glock pistol from the constable’s holster as they struggled at a house in Newtownabbey.
Police also revealed that Knell, 30, has since broken both his own legs by falling from a bedroom window. Details emerged as he was released on bail again after breaching a ban on consuming alcohol or drugs.
Knell, of Tynan Drive, Newtownabbey, faces charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, false imprisonment, common assault and causing actual bodily harm over the incident on January 6, 2025.
He is further accused of possessing the loaded firearm with intent to endanger life and while drunk or under the influence of drugs, stealing a magazine and ammunition belonging to the PSNI, and trespass to a building. The charges relate to incidents in the Fairview Avenue and Beverley Road areas.
Belfast Magistrates Court heard Knell was bare-chested and wearing no footwear when he arrived at the house in a state of panic. He had allegedly fled from a hotel earlier and claimed someone wanted to shoot or kill him.
An investigating detective said: “He appeared to be in the midst of a drug-induced episode of psychosis and paranoia.”
Residents at the property initially called for an ambulance, but while they waited an off-duty PSNI constable entered the hallway area.
“The defendant continued to behave erratically and lunged at the police officer with a view to obtaining a hug,” the detective contended.
Knell discovered the constable was carrying a concealed firearm and managed to grab it from the holster, according to the case against him.
As the two men struggled together the defendant allegedly tried to twist the gun round towards the officer’s abdomen. The policeman managed to release the magazine containing 16 rounds of ammunition.
Ultimately, however, one bullet was discharged and struck him in the thigh. Fragments from the round also penetrated the ankle of a woman present at the scene.
Knell was said to have left the property after another of the occupants struck him over the head with an ornament. Police detained him later that night and found the magazine of ammunition on him.
Initially granted bail in March last year, Knell first reported breaching his conditions by taking alcohol and cocaine last summer. He was released again but then in November spent a number of weeks in hospital following a suspected drunken accident.
“Police understand the defendant jumped or fell from his bedroom window and broke both his legs,” the detective disclosed.
In the latest incident on Tuesday he made a series of 999 calls, stating he had taken alcohol and was in a paranoid state. Defence counsel Michael Boyd argued Knell fully cooperated and self-reported himself to police.
“He had been at a funeral yesterday of a close friend who died suddenly, took a couple of beers at the gathering afterwards, immediately felt unwell and acutely paranoid,” he said.
The barrister insisted any risk of re-offending has been reduced since his client fell from the window.
Knell was released on bail under a further direction he must seek medical help for his mental health within 14 days.