On Christmas Eve, a 39-year-old man was shot by police in Redditch, Worcestershire, after a long standoff. Police received a call around 2 PM saying the man had a knife and was a danger to himself. They tried to talk to him and resolve the situation peacefully for several hours. However, at about 7:40 PM, the police shot him, and he was declared dead shortly after 8 PM.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating what happened. They found a knife at the scene, and officers had tried using tasers during the standoff. Investigators are reviewing video footage from the police cameras to figure out what led to the shooting.
A friend of the man said he was a nice person who wouldn’t hurt anyone. The friend expressed shock and sadness at the news. West Mercia Police acknowledged the community’s distress and promised full cooperation with the investigation.
The IOPC’s investigation is just beginning, and they aim to understand the officers’ actions during the incident. They have confirmed that no one else was in the building when the shooting occurred. On Christmas Day, police continued to guard the area, and tributes to the man were shared online by friends and family.
This shooting is the third fatal police shooting in the UK in 2024, according to a charity that keeps track of such incidents.
A post-mortem examination is expected, and the coroner has been notified.
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