The police watchdog has confirmed that armed officers responding to reports of a disturbance have fatally shot a man in Swindon in the early hours of this morning.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) says it has begun an independent investigation following an incident involving Wiltshire police officers in Summers Street, Rodbourne, at just after 2am today.
The road has been cordoned off as a major crime scene, with forensics working at the scene. There appears to be a weapon — believed to be a non-police issue firearm — near the front wheel of an Armed Response Vehicle.
“At this early stage it is believed a 57-year-old man has been fatally shot during the police response to reports of two men arguing in the street”, a spokesperson for the watchdog said.
Adding: “He was declared dead in an ambulance at 2.56am.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with all of those affected by this terrible incident.
“IOPC investigators are at the scene, and the post incident procedures where the key police witnesses will provide their initial accounts.
“It is mandatory for us to conduct an independent investigation when the police fatally shoot a member of the public. We have established protocols with the police to ensure our investigations do not hinder their ability to conduct enquiries as part of their related investigations.”
