An independent investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the shooting of two men by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in Woolwich, south London, on Wednesday, 22nd May. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which has the responsibility for investigating incidents involving police shootings, was notified of the shooting by the MPS at 14.50 on Wednesday, 22nd May.
An independent investigation was declared and twelve investigators were deployed to the scene and the post incident procedure. IPCC investigators have viewed CCTV footage of the police shooting which was captured on a local authority camera positioned nearby. Three firearms officers, in an armed response vehicle, are seen to arrive in John Wilson Street, Greenwich, at 14.33.
Two officers fired shots and one officer discharged a Taser. Two men sustained gun shot injuries and received first aid from the firearms officers. The men remain under arrest in hospital. The three firearms officers have provided initial accounts of the incident and the IPCC will continue to collect and analyse the evidence in this case.
Commissioner Derrick Campbell said: "Our investigation is as a result of the tragic events yesterday and I would like to express my sincere sympathies to the family of Lee Rigby at this terrible time. We have viewed CCTV footage of the police shooting. At this stage we are not pursuing any criminal or misconduct offences. Officers have provided initial statements and we will be obtaining additional accounts. The IPCC is independently verifying information regarding the circumstances of this incident and we can promise the Woolwich community, and wider public, that our investigation will be thorough.”
