02/11/2006

Menezes officers involved in Kent shooting

A firearms officer involved in the fatal shooting of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes has shot dead a man in Kent, it has been reported.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's CO19 firearms unit were supporting Flying Squad officers as they attempted to stop a suspected armed robbery at a building society in New Romney in Kent on Wednesday.

The 42-year-old man was shot and injured during the incident and was taken by ambulance to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent, where he died.

Three men were arrested during the operation and a firearm was also recovered from the scene and removed for forensic examination. No police officers were injured.

The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission for investigation as is normal procedure.

Mr Menezes was shot dead at Stockwell Tube Station last July after being mistaken for a potential suicide bomber.

The Metropolitan Police are facing a trial in under health and safety laws over his death, although the Crown Prosecution Service ruled that there was not evidence to charge individual officers over his death. Mr Menezes' family are challenging the decision.

Two police officers who were suspended from operational work following Mr Menezes' shooting returned to armed duties following the CPS' decision.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "The Met has a small cadre of specialist highly-trained firearms officers who last year were deployed to 2,529 incidents.

"They perform an extremely difficult but vital function responding to armed threats against the public and their unarmed colleagues.

"It is extremely rare for officers to fire their guns. As is proper the IPCC is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting.

"Their enquiries are ongoing but they have confirmed that a firearm was recovered at the scene.

"It is deeply regrettable when anyone dies as a result of police action."

Mr Menezes family' issued a statement expressing "shock and disbelief" at the news, while Jean's cousin Alex Pereira told Sky News that the family were "shocked that someone responsible for the death of an innocent man has been given a license to kill again."

(KMcA)

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