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Portishead shooting: Gun threat was reported before driver shot | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A motorist who died in an armed police shooting near the M5 in Bristol had pointed a gun at another driver in the Midlands, police have confirmed. | |
Officers fired at a car on the Portbury Hundred (A369) near junction 19 for Portishead at about 09:30 BST on Wednesday, an eyewitness told the BBC. | |
West Mercia Police said it received a report about a driver with a gun on the M5 in Worcestershire at about 08:30. | |
The police watchdog examined the scene of the shooting on Thursday. | |
Latest updates on this and other stories from the West of England | Latest updates on this and other stories from the West of England |
West Mercia Police said it received the tip off about the suspect when he was close to junction eight, near to Strensham services and the M50 junction. | |
Police have confirmed a man was shot just off the M5 and close to Gordano services an hour later. | Police have confirmed a man was shot just off the M5 and close to Gordano services an hour later. |
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said the tip off was "passed on to the central motorway police group" and also to the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). | |
Avon and Somerset Police said it had referred the shooting to the IPCC, which has launched an investigation. | |
"We have been advised that officers were responding to reports of a man travelling on the M5 with a handgun and that he had threatened another motorist," an IPCC spokesman said. | "We have been advised that officers were responding to reports of a man travelling on the M5 with a handgun and that he had threatened another motorist," an IPCC spokesman said. |
"What appears to be a non-police issue firearm was found at the scene and will also be subject to examination." | "What appears to be a non-police issue firearm was found at the scene and will also be subject to examination." |
He added inquiries were continuing to formally identify the deceased and his next of kin. A post mortem is due to take place on Thursday. | He added inquiries were continuing to formally identify the deceased and his next of kin. A post mortem is due to take place on Thursday. |
David Ellison told BBC Radio Bristol he saw officers fire between six and 10 shots through the passenger window using handguns. | David Ellison told BBC Radio Bristol he saw officers fire between six and 10 shots through the passenger window using handguns. |
"They surrounded it. They shot maybe five, six or 10 times," he said. | "They surrounded it. They shot maybe five, six or 10 times," he said. |
"Then they dragged a man from the car to resuscitate him. | "Then they dragged a man from the car to resuscitate him. |
"It came off the roundabout towards Portishead and then was boxed in by cars." | "It came off the roundabout towards Portishead and then was boxed in by cars." |
A police spokesman said the shooting was not terror-related. | A police spokesman said the shooting was not terror-related. |
"We received calls from concerned members of the public travelling on the M5 who reported they had seen a man in a car with a handgun," he added. | "We received calls from concerned members of the public travelling on the M5 who reported they had seen a man in a car with a handgun," he added. |
"The vehicle left the motorway at junction 19 and officers stopped the car on the A369 known as the Portbury Hundred. | "The vehicle left the motorway at junction 19 and officers stopped the car on the A369 known as the Portbury Hundred. |
"Shots were subsequently fired in an incident involving police firearms and a man has died." | "Shots were subsequently fired in an incident involving police firearms and a man has died." |
The Great Western Air Ambulance's critical care team also attended. | The Great Western Air Ambulance's critical care team also attended. |
The Portbury Hundred links the M5 motorway to the town of Portishead, to the west of Bristol. | The Portbury Hundred links the M5 motorway to the town of Portishead, to the west of Bristol. |
Diversions are in place and police have advised drivers to plan ahead and use alternative routes. | Diversions are in place and police have advised drivers to plan ahead and use alternative routes. |