Latest news with #SeanFitzgerald
BBC News
16-07-2025
- BBC News
Sean Fitzgerald death: Coroner raises firearms training concerns
A coroner has raised concerns about the training of firearms officers, following the shooting of an unarmed man by police in Coventry in soldier Sean Fitzgerald, 31, died during a raid carried out by West Midlands Police and an inquest in May concluded he had been killed the inquest jury found a number of issues with the planning and execution of the operation and the coroner, Sir John Saunders, published a report on Wednesday aimed at preventing similar deaths in recommended both the College of Policing and West Midlands Police look again at their training in light of his findings. West Midlands Police said it would "respond to any concerns identified within the timeline provided".The raid on the property had followed an investigation into an organised crime gang in the Nuneaton, Bedworth and Coventry investigation had been handed over to the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit which received intelligence claiming lead gang members were expected to be at a property in Burnaby Road and got a warrant to search the the inquest, the officer who shot Mr Fitzgerald said he had seen him emerge from the property carrying what he thought was a gun, but it later turned out to be a mobile phone. Areas of concern In his report, the coroner said he had taken into account evidence from the officers involved, senior firearms training officers and other experts on police tactics and on human said he had two main areas of concern - the warnings given and the positioning of armed coroner said that in the operation which led to the death of Mr Fitzgerald, there appeared to be a difference of opinion about when officers should shout "armed police" as a believed it should be shouted before entry was made, others believed it should be shouted after entry was the event, the report states: "The officers at the front of the property did not shout 'armed police' before breaking down the two doors at the front of the property. "Before any announcement was made, Mr Fitzgerald left through the rear door of the premises and was shot by Officer K, who was providing rear containment."Sir John said he was concerned the guidance and training given to officers "does not ensure a clear and consistent understanding of when they should announce their presence".He said the training also did not give a clear enough understanding of the factors to consider in deciding when to make the announcement. The coroner's other main concern was over the guidance officers were given on where they should stand in relation to the case of Mr Fitzgerald, the inquest heard the officer who shot him was standing about 7.5ft (2.3m) from the rear door of the property, and fired within just over half a second of the door beginning to inquest jury found he used "force commensurate with the threat he perceived and acted reasonably in taking up the position which he took, given the briefing he had received". But the coroner said the experts who gave evidence on human reaction had raised concerns about being in close proximity to a potential source of said being too close could significantly elevate an officer's perception of threat, and potentially increased the likelihood that they would respond with force. The coroner said there was little guidance given to firearms officers on the dangers of being close to said he expected a response from the College of Policing and West Midlands Police by 2 September, setting out the action they intended to a statement following the publication of the report, West Midlands Police said: "Armed policing is complex and challenging and our firearms officers put themselves in harm's way to protect the public on a daily basis,"It said those officers "undergo continuous rigorous training to ensure they are suitably equipped for such a vital and demanding role".The BBC has also approached the College of Policing for a comment. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
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.'
