Body-worn and drone footage being reviewed as IOPC investigate Eastville police shooting
The police watchdog says its investigation is in the early stages
Last updated 5 hours ago
The police watchdog is reviewing body camera and drone footage as part of its investigation into the shooting of a man by armed officers in Bristol.
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 having seen what they thought was a firearm, at an address on Fishponds Road in the Eastville area, at around 5:30pm on Thursday 22nd October.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating whether the lethal force used was reasonable, necessary and proportionate.
It added the officers involved are being treated as witnesses at this stage as there is "no indication that any officer may have breached police standards of professional behaviour or committed a criminal offence."
The IOPC said an initial review of the footage shows armed officers arrived at an address on Fishponds Road just before 6pm.
The IOPC said officers tried to engage with the man and gain entry, but he refused to let them in.
Over the next 50 minutes, it said officers continued to try to engage with him.
It said he could be seen at various times moving around inside the address, holding what appeared to be weapons in his hands.
Police attempted to force entry through the front door.
Just after 6.50pm, body-worn video captured officers instructing the man to put down what is believed to be an imitation firearm.
The IOPC said two officers each fired their weapons, and three shots were fired in total.
The man sustained a serious injury to his chest.
First aid was given at the scene, and he was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Avon and Somerset Police notified the IOPC soon after the incident on 22nd October, and the watchdog declared an independent investigation.
IOPC investigators attended the scene and carried out the post incident procedures (PIP), , where the firearms officers involved gave their initial accounts of what had happened.
A countback of ammunition, the process for working out how many rounds were fired, also took place there 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.”