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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Firearms Pc told 'keep gun down' | Firearms Pc told 'keep gun down' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A firearms officer who fatally shot a colleague in the chest had been told to keep his gun pointed down during the training exercise, an inquest heard. | A firearms officer who fatally shot a colleague in the chest had been told to keep his gun pointed down during the training exercise, an inquest heard. |
| The officer who shot Pc Ian Terry, 32, earlier said he acted "instinctively", as Greater Manchester Police's firearms unit practised in a disused factory. | The officer who shot Pc Ian Terry, 32, earlier said he acted "instinctively", as Greater Manchester Police's firearms unit practised in a disused factory. |
| The ammunition used to kill Pc Terry, in 2008, was only to be shot at a person if "there was a threat to life". | The ammunition used to kill Pc Terry, in 2008, was only to be shot at a person if "there was a threat to life". |
| Pc Terry was not wearing body armour, Coroner Nigel Meadows told the inquest. | Pc Terry was not wearing body armour, Coroner Nigel Meadows told the inquest. |
| The father-of-two, from Burnley in Lancashire, was shot at close range while holding an empty gun, as he played the role of an armed robber fleeing in a car. | The father-of-two, from Burnley in Lancashire, was shot at close range while holding an empty gun, as he played the role of an armed robber fleeing in a car. |
| The specialist firearms officer who shot him cannot be named for legal reasons, but is to be referred to as Chris throughout the five-week inquest. | The specialist firearms officer who shot him cannot be named for legal reasons, but is to be referred to as Chris throughout the five-week inquest. |
| Fatal shot | Fatal shot |
| Chris shot his fellow colleague with a single shot of Round Irritant Personnel (RIP) ammunition, the hearing was told. He was using a pump action shotgun at the time and was a foot away from Pc Terry when he fired the fatal shot. | Chris shot his fellow colleague with a single shot of Round Irritant Personnel (RIP) ammunition, the hearing was told. He was using a pump action shotgun at the time and was a foot away from Pc Terry when he fired the fatal shot. |
| Throughout the training exercise, the inquest heard, the 20 officers taking part were told to keep their guns pointed down and aim only for the car's tyres. | Throughout the training exercise, the inquest heard, the 20 officers taking part were told to keep their guns pointed down and aim only for the car's tyres. |
| Chris said he acted instinctively to the threat of the gun from Pc Terry Coroner Nigel Meadows | Chris said he acted instinctively to the threat of the gun from Pc Terry Coroner Nigel Meadows |
| The aim of the specialist firearms officers was to burst the tyres of Pc Terry's "getaway" car and then pull the "suspects" out of the vehicle. | The aim of the specialist firearms officers was to burst the tyres of Pc Terry's "getaway" car and then pull the "suspects" out of the vehicle. |
| Mr Meadows outlined what happened shortly before the shooting. | Mr Meadows outlined what happened shortly before the shooting. |
| He said: "Pc Terry extended his left hand through the window of the vehicle. Chris approached from the rear and held up his firearm to cover the vehicle and the occupants. | He said: "Pc Terry extended his left hand through the window of the vehicle. Chris approached from the rear and held up his firearm to cover the vehicle and the occupants. |
| "At some point Chris removed the safety catch as he approached the vehicle. | "At some point Chris removed the safety catch as he approached the vehicle. |
| "He approached with the shotgun and he fired it at Pc Terry from about a foot from his body. | "He approached with the shotgun and he fired it at Pc Terry from about a foot from his body. |
| "The shot struck him on the left side of his chest." | "The shot struck him on the left side of his chest." |
| It was the first time Chris had played the role of an officer intent on demobilising the "getaway car". | |
| Other officers were using weapons which fired paintballs. | |
| The commander of the operation - under the pseudonym Francis - "had told the officers that there would be a shoot scenario which would involve a vehicle and the occupants and that they would have unloaded guns," Mr Meadows said. | The commander of the operation - under the pseudonym Francis - "had told the officers that there would be a shoot scenario which would involve a vehicle and the occupants and that they would have unloaded guns," Mr Meadows said. |
| "He also said the shotgun should only be used to deflate the tyre and to be pointed down at all times. | "He also said the shotgun should only be used to deflate the tyre and to be pointed down at all times. |
| "Francis said he asked the group whether they understood the instructions and they replied they did." | "Francis said he asked the group whether they understood the instructions and they replied they did." |
| Shooting 'unintended' | Shooting 'unintended' |
| However, Mr Meadows said that Chris, who had been interviewed shortly after the shooting, said he was not aware he was in a shoot scenario. | However, Mr Meadows said that Chris, who had been interviewed shortly after the shooting, said he was not aware he was in a shoot scenario. |
| He was interviewed at the site of the training exercise in a disused warehouse in Newton Heath, Manchester. | He was interviewed at the site of the training exercise in a disused warehouse in Newton Heath, Manchester. |
| Mr Meadows told the hearing: "Chris said he acted instinctively to the threat of the gun from Pc Terry, although it was appreciated it was a training exercise. | Mr Meadows told the hearing: "Chris said he acted instinctively to the threat of the gun from Pc Terry, although it was appreciated it was a training exercise. |
| "He later told the Independent Police Complaints Commission that he acted by instinct and had not intended to shoot a colleague." | "He later told the Independent Police Complaints Commission that he acted by instinct and had not intended to shoot a colleague." |
| Despite first aid at the scene, Pc Terry died later in hospital. | Despite first aid at the scene, Pc Terry died later in hospital. |
| A similar exercise was held a week before but no shots were fired because one of the officers involved did not want to be shot by paintball. | |
| Giving evidence, Ch Insp Alan Wood, said: "Officers were trained never to point a firearm at anyone and never to put the finger on the trigger, unless it was justified in both cases." | |
| Before the inquest at Manchester Civil Justice Centre, Mr Meadows said that at least 26 officers would be granted anonymity. | Before the inquest at Manchester Civil Justice Centre, Mr Meadows said that at least 26 officers would be granted anonymity. |
| The hearing continues. | The hearing continues. |