IOPC investigation into Gwent Police shooting

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has begun an investigation after a man was shot and seriously injured by Gwent Police.

Just before midnight on 10 July 2026, an emergency call was made to police by a man who said he was armed with a crossbow and was making threats to harm himself and others.

Shortly after 12am on 11 July, armed officers attended a property in Newport and found the 21-year-old who was inside the address, holding a crossbow.

We have verified that negotiations with the man broke down and he stood in the doorway of the property, facing officers, with the crossbow raised. One of the officers discharged a single shot during the incident, which struck the man in the chest. First aid was given and an ambulance transported the man to hospital where he remains in a stable condition following emergency surgery. His injuries are now not considered to be life-threatening.

Gwent Police referred the matter to us on 11 July and we declared an independent investigation on 13 July.

Our investigators attended the scene of the shooting on 11 July as well as the post incident procedures (PIP), where the firearms officers involved in the operation gave their initial accounts of what had happened. The firearms countback of the ammunition also took place at the PIP, in the presence of an IOPC investigator.

IOPC Director of Engagement Derrick Campbell said: “The use of firearms by police officers is rare but where potentially lethal force has been used, it is important that we carry out an independent investigation into the circumstances.

“We can confirm at this stage that all the officers involved in the operation, including the firearms officer who discharged their weapon, are being treated as witnesses because there is no indication they may have breached police professional standards or committed a criminal offence.

“We are in the initial phase of our investigation which is looking at the planning and execution of the firearms deployment, the actions and decisions of officers and staff, including the discharge of a police firearm and whether any use of force was reasonable, necessary and proportionate. We are also investigating the aftercare provided to the man by police officers.”

We have secured a police firearm for examination and CCTV and officers’ body worn video has been recovered and viewed.