A 29-year-old man who was shot by a Surrey Police firearms officer and taken to hospital in a critical condition has died, the police watchdog has said.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said the man died on Thursday after he was shot in the village of Knaphill, near Woking, in the early hours of Sunday.
It has launched an investigation into the actions of Surrey Police, as is standard protocol for all police weapon discharges.
IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: ‘This is a tragic incident during which a man sadly lost his life. We have met with the man’s family to explain our role.
‘Our thoughts are with them and everyone affected by this incident. Fatal police shootings are rare.
‘Given a person has died it’s important that an independent investigation is carried out to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident, including police actions and decision-making, and the use of lethal force.’
Surrey Police received reports of an ‘altercation’ between two people including a man armed with a weapon in the street on Nursery Road, Knaphill, at 12.36am on Sunday. Officers are pictured at the scene
The IOPC said it had established from police call logs that shortly after 12.30am on Sunday, Surrey Police received a report of an altercation on the street.
It was told a man was said to be carrying a firearm on Nursery Road in Knaphill. The caller reported the man then went inside an address.
The watchdog also says that while the man was struck by a single shot, a baton round – an incapacitating round such as a rubber bullet – was also fired.
‘Armed Surrey officers arrived shortly afterwards and approached the address, with cordons put in place,’ the IOPC statement said.
‘Police body-worn footage shows officers calling for the occupant of the address to come to the door with nothing in their hands.
‘The man opened the door and appeared to point a weapon in the officers’ direction.
‘One shot was fired by a firearms officer, which struck the man shortly after 1.20am. A police baton round was also discharged.
‘Officers provided immediate first aid. An ambulance was requested and the man was taken to hospital.’
The IOPC said a non-police issue weapon was found at the scene.
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