Armed police shot a man in his 40s in Eastville, Bristol, leaving him with serious injuries. The man was taken to hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
Officers responded to a report of a possible firearm at an address on Fishponds Road shortly before 5.30pm on October 22. Police discharged their firearms before negotiators arrived at the scene.
Immediate treatment at the scene
Paramedics treated the man immediately at the scene. He was conscious and breathing when taken to hospital. His injuries are not currently believed to be life-threatening.
No police officers were injured in the incident. No arrests have been made, and police say there is no wider risk to the public. A cordon remains in place at the address while enquiries continue.
IOPC investigation underway
The case has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has begun an investigation. The matter was referred to the watchdog at 9.10pm, and investigators were sent to the scene to gather evidence, including officers' body worn video and initial accounts.
An IOPC spokesperson said: "The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has begun an investigation following a police shooting in Bristol on Thursday, October 22, in which a man suffered serious injuries and remains in hospital in a stable condition. The matter was referred to us at 9.10pm and we sent investigators to the scene and the police post incident procedures to start gathering evidence, including officers' body worn video and their initial accounts. Our investigation is in its very early stages."
Police response and community reassurance
Superintendent Matt Ebbs, of Avon and Somerset Police, said officers will co-operate with the IOPC "to ensure transparency over our actions and decisions". He added: "This type of incident, while very rare, is distressing. We'll have an increased high-visibility police presence in the area over the coming days. I'd urge anyone with any concerns to engage with our officers on patrol."
Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement: "We have made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after a man was injured in a police incident in Bristol. Police firearms were discharged by armed police officers, and a man remains in a stable condition in hospital for treatment to injuries not currently believed to be life-threatening. The officers were responding to a report from a member of the public who saw what they believed to be a firearm at an address in Fishponds Road, Eastville. The 999 call came in just before 5.30pm on Thursday 22 October and armed officers responded. Negotiators had not yet arrived when police firearms were discharged. A man in his forties was immediately treated at the scene by paramedics and was conscious and breathing when taken to hospital. We have not yet been able to trace his next of kin. No officers were injured and we do not believe there is any wider risk to the public. No arrests have been made. Support is in place or will be offered to everyone involved. A cordon remains at the address in Fishponds Road while enquiries continue."
