Update on IOPC investigation into Avon and Somerset Police shooting  

Our independent investigation into a police shooting in Bristol on Thursday 22 October is progressing.

A man in his 40s was shot and seriously injured by Avon and Somerset Police after armed officers responded to a report by a member of the public of having seen what they thought was a firearm, at an address on Fishponds Road, in the Eastville area of the city, at around 5.30pm.

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.

Avon and Somerset Police notified us soon after the incident on 22 October and we declared an independent investigation.

Our investigators attended the scene of the shooting and 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, the process for determining how many rounds were discharged, also took place at the PIP, in front of an IOPC investigator.

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.”