Man suffers 'serious injuries' after being shot by police in Bristol

Man suffers 'serious injuries' after being shot by police in Bristol A man aged in his 40s was shot by police who rushed to a property in Eastville, Bristol, and he is being treated in hospital with serious injuries A man has suffered serious injuries after being shot by police. Armed officers rushed to Fishponds Road in Eastville, in Bristol, shortly before 5.30pm on October 23 after receiving a report from someone who believed they had seen firearms at the address. A man, understood to be in his 40s, was hit when police opened fire during the incident, before negotiators arrived. He was "immediately treated" at the scene by paramedics. It is understood that he was conscious and breathing when rushed to hospital, where he was in a 'serious but stable condition'. No police officers were injured in the incident, which has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the police complaints watchdog. The IOPC has now confirmed it has begun an investigation, which is in its "very early stages". A spokesperson said: "The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has begun an investigation following a police shooting in Bristol on Thursday, October 22, in which a man suffered serious injuries and remains in hospital in a stable condition. "The matter was referred to us at 9.10pm and we sent investigators to the scene and the police post incident procedures to start gathering evidence, including officers’ body worn video and their initial accounts. Our investigation is in its very early stages." Superintendent Matt Ebbs, of Avon and Somerset Police, said on Friday that officers will co-operate with the IOPC "to ensure transparency over our actions and decisions", reported BristolLive. He said: "This type of incident, while very rare, is distressing. We'll have an increased high-visibility police presence in the area over the coming days. I'd urge anyone with any concerns to engage with our officers on patrol." The statement from Avon and Somerset Police over the incident read: "We have made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after a man was injured in a police incident in Bristol. "Police firearms were discharged by armed police officers, and a man remains in a stable condition in hospital for treatment to injuries not currently believed to be life-threatening. "The officers were responding to a report from a member of the public who saw what they believed to be a firearm at an address in Fishponds Road, Eastville. The 999 call came in just before 5.30pm on Thursday 22 October and armed officers responded. Negotiators had not yet arrived when police firearms were discharged. A man in his forties was immediately treated at the scene by paramedics and was conscious and breathing when taken to hospital. We have not yet been able to trace his next of kin. "No officers were injured and we do not believe there is any wider risk to the public. No arrests have been made. Support is in place or will be offered to everyone involved. A cordon remains at the address in Fishponds Road while enquiries continue."