INDEPENDENT investigators have revealed more details of an incident in which a man was shot by police officers in Eastville.
The man, who is in his 40s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries after the incident at a house in Fishponds Road on October 22.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct says police officers fired three shots during the incident, and the man, who has not been named, suffered a chest injury and needed emergency surgery.
Avon & Somerset police officers went to the scene after a member of the public called 999 saying they had seen a firearm at a house near the junction with Berkeley Street, between Muller Road and Stapleton Road.
Three shots fired
A statement from the IOPC updating the investigation said: “From an initial review of police body worn footage and police drone footage we have established armed officers arrived at the property just before 6pm and tried to engage with the occupant and gain entry, but a man who was living there refused to let them in.
“Over the course of the next 50 minutes, officers continued to try to engage the man who, at various times, could be seen moving around inside the property holding what appeared to be weapons in his hands.
“Police attempted to force entry to the front door of the property and just after 6.50pm, body worn video captured officers instructing the man to put down what is believed to be an imitation firearm.
“Two officers each proceeded to discharge their firearms; three shots in total were fired, with the man sustaining a serious injury to his chest.
“First aid was given at the scene and the man was taken to hospital by ambulance where he underwent emergency surgery.”
IOPC investigators went to the scene of the shooting and interviewed the firearms officers involved for their accounts of what happened and check how many rounds of ammunition were fired.
Officers ‘treated as witnesses’
IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell said: “As part of our investigation, we have obtained and are reviewing a significant amount of police footage.
“This includes drone footage and body worn video. We have also secured the police firearms used in the incident for examination.
“All officers involved are being treated as witnesses at this stage because there is no indication that any officer may have breached police standards of professional behaviour or committed a criminal offence. This will be kept under review as our enquiries progress.
“Armed police officers rarely discharge their firearms, but when they do, and a member of the public is seriously injured, it’s vital for accountability that the matter is independently investigated.
“We are carefully examining the planning and execution of the firearms deployment, the actions and decisions of officers including the discharge of firearms and whether the use of lethal force was reasonable, necessary and proportionate in the circumstances. Our investigation is in its early stages.”
Man is detained
About a week after the incident Avon & Somerset police said they had arrested the man on suspicion of affray and of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
This week they said that he had been detained under the Mental Health Act.