An inquest has opened into the death of Bryce Hodgson, 30, who was shot dead by armed police after breaking into a Surrey Quays home armed with a crossbow.
On January 30, Hodgson forced his way into a property on Bywater Place, Surrey Quays. He was armed not only with a crossbow but also other weapons, and acted threateningly inside the home.
Neighbours raised the alarm, prompting a swift call to police and the deployment of armed officers. Senior Coroner Dr Julian Morris revealed that when officers arrived, Hodgson’s menacing behaviour forced them to bring in firearms units. The encounter ended with police firing shots. Hodgson was pronounced dead at the scene.
The provisional post-mortem found that Hodgson died from gunshot wounds to his neck and chest. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the shooting.
Leading the probe, IOPC investigator Harriet Griffiths said: “Police units attended but were unable to detain him and were shortly followed by firearms colleagues, who fired shots.”
Hodgson, originally from Sheffield, was single and worked in IT. At the time of the shooting, he lived in south-east London.
The inquest was adjourned to allow the IOPC to continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Originally published by UKNIP.
