Man shot by police detained under Mental Health Act

A man in his 40s who was shot three times by police officers has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

The man was shot and seriously injured by armed officers who responded to reports of a suspected firearm on Fishponds Road in Eastville, Bristol, on 22 October.

After trying to gain entry to the property and seeing a man holding what appeared to be weapons, the officers shot three times at the man, who sustained a serious injury to his chest.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance where he underwent emergency surgery. He has now been detained under the Mental Health Act, police said.

Police arrived at the property just before 18:00 GMT and tried to gain entry, but a man who was living there refused to let them in.

Officers tried to force entry to the front door, with body worn footage from just after 18:50 showing them instructing the man to put down what is now believed to be an imitation gun.

Two officers discharged their firearms and three shots were fired.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the incident.

Derrick Campbell from the IOPC said: "All officers involved are being treated as witnesses at this stage because there is no indication that any officer may have breached police standards of professional behaviour or committed a criminal offence.

"Armed police officers rarely discharge their firearms, but when they do, and a member of the public is seriously injured, it's vital for accountability that the matter is independently investigated."

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