News / Avon and Somerset Constabulary
Non-police issue handgun found at scene of fatal shooting in Portishead
A man reportedly threatened another motorist with a handgun prior to the fatal police shooting near Portishead.
Armed officers responded to calls from members of the public who had seen him with the weapon in a car on the M5 on Wednesday (September 27) morning.
The vehicle came off the motorway at junction 19 and was surrounded and stopped by armed officers on the Portbury Hundred road at around 9.30am.
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Witnesses described hearing shots fired and seeing the police dragging a man from the bullet-riddled car. He died at the scene.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) remained at the scene on Thursday (September 28) morning and confirmed a non-police issue firearm was found which is now being examined.
Investigators will be attending post-incident procedures, where the officers involved are expected to provide their accounts of the incident.
All police firearms involved will be examined to determine whether they were discharged and, if so, how many times.
Recap on what happened:
https://www.facebook.com/madeinbristoltelevision/videos/1621147781238681/
IPCC commissioner Cindy Butts said: “My thoughts are with the man’s family and all those affected at this difficult time. The investigation is in its very early stages and we will be working hard to establish exactly what happened and would ask for patience while our investigation continues.
“At this stage, we are currently investigating the circumstances of the incident and no individual police officer is under investigation.
“There would have been a large number of witnesses, given this incident took place on a busy road during rush hour. We would ask that anyone with information that may assist our independent investigation make contact with our investigators.”
CCTV and footage from body cameras will also be examined by the IPCC.
Enquiries continue to formally identify the man and his next of kin. The coroner has been informed and a post mortem is due to take place on Thursday (September 28).
The Portbury Hundred (A369) remained closed throughout the night and into Thursday morning.
Police said the prolonged closure is necessary to ensure all evidence is gathered and a thorough examination of the scene is carried out.
Anyone with information is asked to call the IPCC on 0800 029 4686 or email m5portishead@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk.
Main photo courtesy of Made in Bristol TV.
Read more: Man dies after police shooting in Portishead
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