12-07-2025
Police find at least NINE suspicious devices after shooting gas mask-clad plumber as he wielded chainsaw
Police have found at least nine suspicious devices at the scene where they shot a gas mask-clad plumber as he wielded a chainsaw.
Sean O'Meara, 36, was targeted by officers during an arrest on suspicion of assault at his parents' home in the village of Hollingbourne, Kent, on Monday evening.
Kent Police believed the suspect, who was also wearing body armour, was holding an improvised firearm or improvised explosive device (IED).
After he refused to leave the property opposite The Park Gate Inn when police were first called at around 7.15pm, armed officers were deployed, who shot at around 9pm.
Officers called on an explosive ordnance disposal team to the scene outside the country pub - but they are not treating this as a terror incident.
The suspect, as of Saturday, remains in hospital with 'life-changing' injuries, in an induced coma, following the chainsaw 'falling on him'.
Shocking pictures of the scene near Maidstone show heavy protective clothing and a robot used by the bomb squad to deal with the terrifying incident.
Parts of the nearby A20 were closed across several days as the bomb squad searched the area but the road has now fully re-opened.
Two baton rounds were reportedly fired at O'Meara but failed to subdue him - before an officer discharged a conventional firearm.
It was confirmed on Thursday officers had found 'at least four' suspicious devices in the area.
O'Meara's half-brother, Liam, said he is currently being treated at King's College Hospital in London.
He claimed his brother has 'mental health problems', adding he believes police used unreasonable force and officers could have instead shot him in the leg or tasered him.
He told The Telegraph: 'When he was shot, most of the damage was when he dropped the chainsaw and it fell on him.
'The bullet's gone straight in and out so it hasn't caused many problems.'
But he believes his brother now could possibly lose the ability to use his arm.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
'We have been advised by Kent Police that unarmed officers attended the house at around 7.15pm to arrest a man on suspicion of assault', the IOPC said.
'He refused to come out of the house so the officers were instructed to withdraw and armed officers were then deployed.
'We have seen officers' body worn footage which shows the man, aged in his mid-30s, holding a chainsaw and another object in his hand, which, at the time, officers believed appeared to be a handmade firearm or IED (improvised explosive device).
'He was also wearing a gas mask and body armour. We can confirm a first baton round was fired by police and the man then took cover behind a hedge.
'Officers moved in and a police dog was deployed.
'The man ignored orders to put down the chainsaw and a second baton round was discharged and then, seconds later, he moved towards officers and was shot by an officer with a conventional firearm.
'A detailed search of the scene continued today and among the weapons found at the scene were a chainsaw and a device which was made safe by the bomb squad (EOD).'
A 100-metre cordon was put in place around the pub across from the property following the incident.
Dramatic aerial footage captured armoured vehicles parked up outside the property securing the area.
Chief Superintendent Neil Loudon, West Divisional Commander for Kent Police, said: 'This has been a complex investigation and we appreciate that the intermittent closure of the A20 caused disruption to many.
'We would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding whilst we conducted these vital searches.'
He previously said: 'At this current time, there is nothing to suggest a wider threat to the Hollingbourne community, but we have found at least four suspicious devices at the scene and it is important that the area is made safe.'
A Kent Police spokesperson said on Friday: 'Intermittent road closures on the A20 will continue throughout the day on Friday, July 11, whilst ongoing enquiries continue in Hollingbourne.
'This is following a police shooting which took place on Monday, July 7, 2025.
'Given the nature of the enquires that are currently taking place parts of the A20 will be required to be closed for short periods of time.
'The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team are attending the scene to carry out further searches of the area.
'Motorists are advised to find alternative routes until further notice, and we would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding at this time.'
It followed a brief statement from the force on Wednesday afternoon, saying cops had been carrying out an arrest when an armed officer opened fire.
