Tuesday, 9 August 2011

Mark Duggan death: 'No evidence' Tottenham man opened fire

Mark Duggan who was shot dead by police in Tottenham Mark Duggan was shot dead by police in Tottenham
There is no evidence Mark Duggan opened fire at police before being shot dead by a firearms officer, the Independent Police Complaints Commission has said.
Mr Duggan, 29, whose death sparked the first riots in Tottenham, died from a single bullet wound, an inquest heard.
The police watchdog said ballistic tests showed "no evidence that the handgun found at the scene was fired".
BBC News understands firearms officers discharged their weapons in the belief there was a threat to human life.
Their guidelines allow them to open fire in such circumstances.
The father of four was shot in Ferry Lane, Tottenham, north London, on Thursday.
Investigations by the IPCC show two shots were fired by a Scotland Yard CO19 firearms officer.
The initial results confirmed a bullet found lodged in a police officer's radio was police issue.
Establish the facts
Forensic officers have told the IPCC it may not be possible to "say for certain" whether the handgun found near Mr Duggan was fired.
Further tests on the weapon found at the scene, a self-loading pistol, are being carried out to establish this.
In response to the findings, the Met said it was in everyone's interests "the IPCC are able to establish all the facts of the events of last Thursday so that there is a complete understanding of what happened".
After an inquest into Mr Duggan's death was opened and adjourned a statement from his family said they were "deeply distressed" by the disorder affecting communities across England.
Coroner Andrew Walker at the North London Coroner's Court in High Barnet adjourned the hearing until 12 December.
Search for truth
Mr Walker told members of Mr Duggan's family: "Can I just offer my deepest sympathies to the family of Mark Duggan.
"As members of the family will know, in due course there will be an inquest touching the death of Mark Duggan and this is the first stage in that process.
"Of course, as well as offering our deepest sympathies to members of the family, I would like to reassure members of the family that we will be working closely with the IPCC throughout the process."
Colin Sparrow, deputy senior investigator for the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is looking into the shooting, told the hearing the inquiry could take up to six months.
A statement released by Mr Duggan's family read: "We want to establish the truth about Mark's death.
"The family want everyone to know that the disorder going on has nothing to do with finding out what happened to Mark.
"They also want everyone to know that they are deeply distressed by the disorder affecting so many communities across the country."
Mr Duggan's death occurred during an operation where specialist firearms officers were attempting to carry out an arrest.

No comments:

Why cows may be hiding something but AI can spot it

  By Chris Baraniuk Technology of Business reporter Published 22 hours ago Share IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Herd animals like...