Investigation underway into non-fatal shooting by officers

The force said four officers attended a house in Wick St Lawrence at around 11am on Monday (November 28) as part of an investigation into possible firearms offences.

During the incident that unfolded, at around 11.30am two firearms officers fired a number of shots inside the property.

A 31-year-old man at the house suffered serious chest injuries and was provided first aid prior to the arrival of an ambulance.

He remains in hospital for treatment and his condition is described as “critical but stable”.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it declared an independent investigation after being notified of the incident by Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

“We sent investigators to the scene and to the post-incident procedure to begin our inquiries and start gathering evidence,” said the IOPC.

“We are continuing to oversee forensic work at the property today and have obtained initial accounts from the officers involved.

“What appears to be a non-police issue weapon was recovered in the vicinity of where the man was shot.

“We are continuing to analyse officers’ body-worn video and are conducting house-to-house inquiries in the immediate vicinity.

“We will also be gathering more detailed statements from the relevant officers.”

Avon and Somerset Constabulary said it is  continuing to carry out inquiries at the property in North Somerset.

The force said in a statement: “Officers visited the address on Wick Road, Wick St Lawrence, as part of an inquiry into possible firearm offences.

“During the visit, a 31-year-old man was shot.

“The officers involved provided him with first aid before he was taken to Southmead Hospital by ambulance.

“He remains in a critical but stable condition.

The IOPC was immediately made aware of the incident and is conducting an independent investigation into what happened.”

Chief Inspector Adam O’Loughlin said: “The fact we have referred this incident to the IOPC is standard practice and conclusions should not be drawn about what took place.

“We are committed to being open and transparent and are fully cooperating with the IOPC, providing it with all the access and material it requires.

“In the meantime, we continue to carry out our own investigation into offences which we suspect have been committed.

“No arrests have yet been made and inquiries are continuing.”

IOPC regional director David Ford said: “Where police officers have used potentially lethal force, it is right that we carry out a thorough independent investigation into the full circumstances.

“We will be examining the force’s planning prior to attending the property and police actions and decision-making during the events that transpired, which resulted in the man being seriously injured.

“My thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by the incident, especially the man and his family while he remains in a critical condition in hospital.”