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Siege barrister shot five times | Siege barrister shot five times |
(about 8 hours later) | |
A barrister was hit at least five times by police weapons during a shoot-out at his home, an inquest has heard. | A barrister was hit at least five times by police weapons during a shoot-out at his home, an inquest has heard. |
Mark Saunders, 32, died after exchanging fire with officers in Chelsea, south-west London on Tuesday. | |
The inquest at Westminster Coroner's Court was told he was hit with more than one type of bullet. | The inquest at Westminster Coroner's Court was told he was hit with more than one type of bullet. |
A statement from his parents and sisters said they were "devastated at the tragic loss" of our "considerate and loving son and brother". | |
A report by pathologist Dr Nathaniel Carey said Mr Saunders, originally from Alderley Edge in Cheshire, did not suffer injuries from his own shotgun. | |
Severe damage | Severe damage |
It added there was severe damage to Mr Saunders' brain, heart, liver and the main vein of the lower body. | |
"The external and internal gunshot-related damage is consistent with a minimum of five shots having hit the deceased," the report read. | "The external and internal gunshot-related damage is consistent with a minimum of five shots having hit the deceased," the report read. |
Elizabeth Clarke identified her husband's body. Copyright Jon Enoch | |
"The nature of the wound and the projectile material recovered from the body suggests that more than one type of bullet has hit the deceased." | "The nature of the wound and the projectile material recovered from the body suggests that more than one type of bullet has hit the deceased." |
The inquest heard that Mr Saunders' wife, Elizabeth Clarke, identified his body at Westminster Public Mortuary on Thursday. | |
No members of Mr Saunders' family were present during the hearing. | |
But in statement, his parents Rodney and Rosemary Saunders said: "Everyone who knew and loved Mark appreciated his warmth, generosity and sheer energy for life. | |
"He was a very talented and sociable person whose enthusiasm and charm touched so many people. We will always remember him as our caring, considerate and loving son and brother. | |
"We are devastated at our tragic loss." | |
Regrettable death | |
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is investigating the death, confirmed there were three separate exchanges of fire with various armed police officers in Markham Square where he lived. | |
Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Osborne told the hearing: "The death of any individual is regrettable. | |
"In such circumstances as these it makes it even more traumatic for those involved." | "In such circumstances as these it makes it even more traumatic for those involved." |
Officers were called at about 1650 BST after reports a gun was fired from a house towards another home. | |
Armed police fired back when they came under attack and the area nearby was sealed off as the siege began. | Armed police fired back when they came under attack and the area nearby was sealed off as the siege began. |
The incident was brought to an end at about 2200 BST when police stormed the house after four explosions, thought to be stun grenades, were heard. | The incident was brought to an end at about 2200 BST when police stormed the house after four explosions, thought to be stun grenades, were heard. |
The hearing, which lasted about 10 minutes, was adjourned for four months - the IPCC will then deliver a preliminary report. Advertisement | |
Police broke through the front door to get into the house |