This was the scene in a Birtley street on Sunday lunchtime.
A cordon remains in place around a property in Dorset Avenue following an incident on Saturday evening.
The area is taped off by police, with several officers in attendance.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Shortly before 7.30pm yesterday (Saturday) we received a report of concern for a male at an address on Dorset Avenue, Birtley.
"Officers attended the scene but the occupant, a 26-year-old male, had already been taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries consistent with a firearm.
"An investigation was launched and two men, aged 64 and 57, were arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm and remain in police custody this time.
Officers will continue to carry out enquiries at the scene and extra reassurance patrols will be carried out in the wider area."
The ambulance service was called out to the scene at around 7.20pm on Saturday.
A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: "We were called to a private address in Birtley at 7.19pm.
"We dispatched a double-crewed ambulance, a specialist paramedic and a doctor.
"They were all stood down as the patient made their own way to hospital."
One resident, who lives near the scene, said: "I'm in total shock. It's crazy to think something like this could happen so close to home.
"Things happen on this estate but nothing to this extent."
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.
