This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/surrey/8214729.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Police shooting death was lawful Police shooting death was lawful
(about 1 hour later)
A man who was shot dead by police on the steps of a cathedral was lawfully killed, a jury has decided.A man who was shot dead by police on the steps of a cathedral was lawfully killed, a jury has decided.
David Sycamore, 39, died in November 2008 after producing a replica gun outside Guildford Cathedral.David Sycamore, 39, died in November 2008 after producing a replica gun outside Guildford Cathedral.
Prior to his death, Mr Sycamore had shown a student the gun and said he was going to "start shooting people". He was shot by two Surrey Police officers.Prior to his death, Mr Sycamore had shown a student the gun and said he was going to "start shooting people". He was shot by two Surrey Police officers.
It took the jury of six women and five men six hours to reach the verdict after a five-day inquest in Woking.It took the jury of six women and five men six hours to reach the verdict after a five-day inquest in Woking.
Armed units were deployed to the scene by Insp Malcolm Biles of Surrey Police at 1456 BST after Christopher Sumsion, a student at the University of Surrey, dialled 999.Armed units were deployed to the scene by Insp Malcolm Biles of Surrey Police at 1456 BST after Christopher Sumsion, a student at the University of Surrey, dialled 999.
Mr Sycamore was found at 1514 BST outside the cathedral. Two minutes later, the force helicopter announced they had sight of him, sitting crossed legged on the floor. This case shows very graphically that the carrying of arms, whether real or imitation, is very dangerous and, as in this case, may prove to be fatal Surrey coroner Michael Burgess
The jury heard that Mr Sycamore was shot after pointing a gun at an officer, identified only as B2. Mr Sycamore was found at 1514 BST outside the cathedral. Two minutes later, the force helicopter announced they had sight of him, sitting crossed legged on the floor. The jury heard that Mr Sycamore was shot after pointing a gun at an officer, identified only as B2.
Shots were then fired by another officer at the same time, causing Mr Sycamore to fall backwards.Shots were then fired by another officer at the same time, causing Mr Sycamore to fall backwards.
Despite efforts to save his life, Mr Sycamore, who had been diagnosed with depression and was taking anti-depressants, was pronounced dead at the scene.Despite efforts to save his life, Mr Sycamore, who had been diagnosed with depression and was taking anti-depressants, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Surrey coroner Michael Burgess said: "This case if nothing else shows very graphically that the carrying of arms, whether real or imitation, is very dangerous, and as in this case, may prove to be fatal."Surrey coroner Michael Burgess said: "This case if nothing else shows very graphically that the carrying of arms, whether real or imitation, is very dangerous, and as in this case, may prove to be fatal."
An Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation was carried out after the shooting and found there were no criminal charges for officers involved.
After the inquest a spokesman for Surrey police said: "Our sympathy is with the family and friends of David Sycamore, who died in such tragic circumstances, and with our officers and their families, for whom the traumatic effect of this type of incident should not be underestimated.