Shots justified

The Police Ombudsman’s Office has said a police officer was justified in firing two shots when a man with a gun tried to escape capture.

The incident happened in the village of Garrison in County Fermanagh on an evening in November 2009.

The Office investigates all incidents where police have discharged a weapon in public.

On this occasion, Police Ombudsman investigators established that police had been aware of a planned shooting in the village.

On the evening in question they challenged a man with a gun who had gone to the front door of a house in the area.

The man ran off and was chased by police.  A police officer then discharged two shots. 

The man fired at police and then escaped into open fields.  He was later captured following a police search and was ultimately convicted of having a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The Police Ombudsman found the police officer’s actions were justified, given that he believed the man was armed and dangerous and was about to evade capture.

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