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The Independent
16-07-2025
- The Independent
Coroner raises concerns about police firearms training after man fatally shot
A coroner has raised concerns that police firearms training did not ensure 'clear and consistent understanding' about when armed officers should announce their arrival before a man was fatally shot during a raid. Sean Fitzgerald, who was unarmed, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest after leaving a property in Coventry at about 6.20pm on January 4 2019. West Midlands Police firearms officers, who were investigating a suspected organised crime gang, 'began using a chainsaw to break down the front door' while Mr Fitzgerald emerged from the back door. The jury concluded in May, at the end of a six-week inquest, that the 31-year-old was lawfully killed when a firearms officer, known as Officer K, fired the fatal shot while standing seven-and-a-half feet from the back door. Officer K told the inquest he had been standing in the back garden of the property when he saw a curtain move and a man holding a black object which he thought was a gun, the BBC reported. A prevention of future deaths report published on Tuesday said officers at the front of the property did not shout 'armed police' before breaking down the two doors at the front of the property. The jury found that the officers should have announced 'armed police' at the front and rear of the property before they began entering and when the curtain was seen moving through the window. Sir John Saunders, sitting as coroner for Coventry and Warwickshire, said in his report: 'Given the risks to life inherent in armed policing, both to the officers and to members of the public, it is important that firearms officers are given the best possible training and support to perform their role. 'In these circumstances, I am concerned that the guidance and training given to firearms officers on tactics of containing and entering properties (and specifically in relation to the containment and call out with limited entry tactic) does not ensure a clear and consistent understanding of when they should announce their presence, or what factors to consider in deciding when to make the announcement. 'The evidence of the officers involved in the operation as to the recommended or standard practice was inconsistent. 'If the approach of different officers is inconsistent, there is the clear potential for mistakes to be made and for the lives of officers and others to be put at risk. 'The timing of the announcement is plainly important, and any potential for confusion or for making the announcement at the wrong time risks fatal consequences.' The report, which was sent to West Midlands Police and the College of Policing, also said Sir John is concerned that training and guidance about how firearms officers should position themselves 'does not include detailed consideration of the risks of taking up position in close proximity to entrances'. Sir John said: 'It does not appear to address the effects of proximity on threat perception and the use of force.'
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Coroner raises concerns about police firearms training after man fatally shot
A coroner has raised concerns that police firearms training did not ensure 'clear and consistent understanding' about when armed officers should announce their arrival before a man was fatally shot during a raid. Sean Fitzgerald, who was unarmed, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest after leaving a property in Coventry at about 6.20pm on January 4 2019. West Midlands Police firearms officers, who were investigating a suspected organised crime gang, 'began using a chainsaw to break down the front door' while Mr Fitzgerald emerged from the back door. The jury concluded in May, at the end of a six-week inquest, that the 31-year-old was lawfully killed when a firearms officer, known as Officer K, fired the fatal shot while standing seven-and-a-half feet from the back door. Officer K told the inquest he had been standing in the back garden of the property when he saw a curtain move and a man holding a black object which he thought was a gun, the BBC reported. A prevention of future deaths report published on Tuesday said officers at the front of the property did not shout 'armed police' before breaking down the two doors at the front of the property. The jury found that the officers should have announced 'armed police' at the front and rear of the property before they began entering and when the curtain was seen moving through the window. Sir John Saunders, sitting as coroner for Coventry and Warwickshire, said in his report: 'Given the risks to life inherent in armed policing, both to the officers and to members of the public, it is important that firearms officers are given the best possible training and support to perform their role. 'In these circumstances, I am concerned that the guidance and training given to firearms officers on tactics of containing and entering properties (and specifically in relation to the containment and call out with limited entry tactic) does not ensure a clear and consistent understanding of when they should announce their presence, or what factors to consider in deciding when to make the announcement. 'The evidence of the officers involved in the operation as to the recommended or standard practice was inconsistent. 'If the approach of different officers is inconsistent, there is the clear potential for mistakes to be made and for the lives of officers and others to be put at risk. 'The timing of the announcement is plainly important, and any potential for confusion or for making the announcement at the wrong time risks fatal consequences.' The report, which was sent to West Midlands Police and the College of Policing, also said Sir John is concerned that training and guidance about how firearms officers should position themselves 'does not include detailed consideration of the risks of taking up position in close proximity to entrances'. Sir John said: 'It does not appear to address the effects of proximity on threat perception and the use of force.'
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Former soldier, 31, who was shot dead while holding a phone police thought was a gun was 'lawfully' killed, jury rules: Officer may now face gross misconduct hearing
A former soldier who was shot dead by police during a drugs raid was killed lawfully, a jury has ruled. Sean Fitzgerald, 31, died from a single gunshot wound to his chest after leaving a property in Coventry at around 6.20pm on January 4, 2019. West Midlands Police were investigating the activities of a suspected organised crime gang in Burnaby Road, an inquest at Coventry Coroner's Court heard. A jury in the six-week inquest was asked to consider whether Mr Fitzgerald had been lawfully or unlawfully killed by the officer who fired the fatal shot. The officer, who was given anonymity and referred to only as Officer K, told the inquest he had been standing in the back garden of the property when he saw a curtain move. He said he spotted a man holding a black object that he thought was a gun but it turned out to be a mobile phone, the BBC reported. The jury concluded on Wednesday that Mr Fitzgerald was lawfully killed. However, Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) director Derrick Campbell said West Midlands Police had been directed to hold misconduct proceedings. Mr Fitzgerald's family, who were represented by the Inquest Lawyers' Group, had expressed disappointment at the length of time it took the IOPC to conclude their own investigation into the actions of the police force. Mr Campbell said their investigation was 'complex' and took 'far longer than expected'. In a statement, he said: 'Our investigation, which concluded in December 2023, examined not only the shooting itself, but the wider circumstances, including the intelligence and decision making in the planning of the operation. 'Having considered all the evidence, a range of expert opinion and applying the legal thresholds which govern our work, we concluded there was sufficient evidence to indicate that the officer who fired the fatal shot may have breached the police professional standards regarding his use of force and therefore had a case to answer for gross misconduct. 'West Midlands Police were directed to hold a misconduct hearing, although it was agreed that should not be progressed until after the conclusion of the inquest proceedings. 'We determined the evidence did not meet the threshold for a referral to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider whether the same officer should face a criminal charge in relation to the shooting. 'This was a complex investigation and we recognise our inquiries took far longer than expected. 'We understand the impact this has had on everyone concerned and will carefully review, as soon as possible, whether any of the additional evidence heard at the inquest impacts on our previous decision making.' West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Damian Barratt said the force offered its 'sincere condolences' to the family of Mr Fitzgerald. He said: 'We note the points raised within the findings and will ensure that these are fully considered in order to identify any learning in future operations. 'Armed policing is complex and challenging and our firearms officers put themselves in harm's way to protect the public on a daily basis, and undergo continuous rigorous training to ensure they are suitably equipped for such a vital and demanding role.'
The Independent
21-05-2025
- The Independent
Police officer who fatally shot unarmed man may face misconduct proceedings
A police officer who fatally shot an unarmed man as he left a property in Coventry may now face gross misconduct proceedings after an inquest jury concluded the victim was lawfully killed. Sean Fitzgerald, 31, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest after leaving a property in Coventry at about 6.20pm on January 4 2019. West Midlands Police officers were investigating the activities of a suspected organised crime gang in Burnaby Road, an inquest at Coventry Coroner's Court heard. A jury in the six-week inquest was asked to consider whether Mr Fitzgerald had been lawfully or unlawfully killed by the officer who fired the fatal shot, who was given anonymity and referred to only as officer K. Officer K told the inquest he had been standing in the back garden of the property when he saw a curtain move and a man holding a black object that he thought was a gun, the BBC reported. The jury concluded on Wednesday that Mr Fitzgerald was lawfully killed. Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) director Derrick Campbell said West Midlands Police had been directed to hold misconduct proceedings but it was agreed they would not happen until the inquest had finished. Mr Fitzgerald's family, who were represented by the Inquest Lawyers' Group, had expressed disappointment at the length of time it took the IOPC to conclude their own investigation in the actions of West Midlands Police. Mr Campbell said their investigation was 'complex' and took 'far longer than expected'. In a statement, he said: 'Our investigation, which concluded in December 2023, examined not only the shooting itself, but the wider circumstances, including the intelligence and decision making in the planning of the operation. 'Having considered all the evidence, a range of expert opinion and applying the legal thresholds which govern our work, we concluded there was sufficient evidence to indicate that the officer who fired the fatal shot may have breached the police professional standards regarding his use of force and therefore had a case to answer for gross misconduct. 'West Midlands Police were directed to hold a misconduct hearing, although it was agreed that should not be progressed until after the conclusion of the inquest proceedings. 'We determined the evidence did not meet the threshold for a referral to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider whether the same officer should face a criminal charge in relation to the shooting. 'This was a complex investigation and we recognise our inquiries took far longer than expected. 'We understand the impact this has had on everyone concerned and will carefully review, as soon as possible, whether any of the additional evidence heard at the inquest impacts on our previous decision making.' West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Damian Barratt said the force offered its 'sincere condolences' to the family of Mr Fitzgerald. He said: 'We note the points raised within the findings and will ensure that these are fully considered in order to identify any learning in future operations. 'Armed policing is complex and challenging and our firearms officers put themselves in harm's way to protect the public on a daily basis, and undergo continuous rigorous training to ensure they are suitably equipped for such a vital and demanding role.'
BBC News
21-05-2025
- BBC News
Man shot by police in Coventry killed lawfully
A man shot dead by police during a drugs raid was killed lawfully, a jury has concluded. Sean Fitzgerald, 31, was killed on 4 January 2019 in Burnaby Road, Coventry, where West Midlands Police officers were investigating the activities of a suspected organised crime officer who fired the fatal shot - Officer K - told Coventry Coroner's Court he had been standing in the property's back garden when he saw a curtain move and a black object being Fitzgerald, who was unarmed, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest after exiting the property at about 18:20 GMT. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
