Man 'not armed when shot by police'
An investigation into the death of Mark Duggan who was shot dead by police, triggering a series of riots across Britain, has found no forensic evidence that he was carrying a gun, it was reported today.
The claim was made by the Guardian newspaper, but Scotland Yard said today it would be “premature” to draw any conclusions about the findings of the investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) into the incident in Tottenham. north London, on August 4.
The Guardian said a gun collected by Mr Duggan earlier in the day was recovered 10 to 14ft away, on the other side of a low fence from his body, and that he was killed outside the vehicle he was travelling in, after a police marksman fired twice.
On the day Mr Duggan was shot, there is overwhelming evidence he had obtained a firearm, but the investigation is considering whether he had the weapon in his possession when he was shot, the Guardian said.
A statement from Scotland Yard said today: “The MPS (Metropolitan Police Service) is aware of an article published online by the Guardian on 18 November in which a number of assertions are made in relation to the IPCC investigation into the death of Mark Duggan.
“We believe the Guardian’s headline is inaccurate and misleading based on what is known at this time and will be making this point in the strongest possible terms to the newspaper.
“The article, and especially its headline, states as fact issues that are subject to an ongoing investigation by the IPCC, and we would reiterate that it is premature to draw any conclusions about its findings.”
IPCC commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said: “The ongoing IPCC investigation into the death of Mark Duggan is examining a range of issues.
“We are providing updates and, where possible, answers to the family of Mr Duggan.
“This is a complex investigation that involves gathering information including witness statements, pathology, forensics and ballistics analysis and we have stated to the coroner that it will be completed within four to six months.
“We are unable to put information in the public domain until appropriate to do so. Ultimately, the evidence from our investigation will rightly be tested and challenged in a public forum before an inquest jury. We would urge people not to rush to judgment until they see and hear the evidence themselves.”
Mr Duggan’s death in Tottenham, north London, was the trigger for the first of four nights of riots that spread from the capital across England.
Initial reports that Mr Duggan shot at police were dismissed by ballistic tests which later found that a bullet which lodged itself in one officer’s radio was police issue.
Mr Duggan was a passenger in a minicab which was apparently stopped by police near Tottenham Hale Tube station.
A non-police issue handgun, converted from a blank-firing pistol to one that shoots live rounds, was recovered close to the scene of his death.
An inquest into Mr Duggan’s death, which opened at North London Coroner’s Court in High Barnet, heard the father of four died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
It emerged yesterday that two Scotland Yard officers are being investigated over their response to a firearms offence linked to the police shooting.
The pair have been placed on restricted duties over their actions after allegations of an assault with the gun believed to have been later found at the scene where Mr Duggan was shot dead.
IPCC commissioner Sarah Green said: “Our investigation will consider whether all investigative lines were promptly identified and acted upon by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service and to what extent, if any, the conduct of this investigation may have impacted on the supply of the firearm found at the scene of the shooting of Mark Duggan.”
Unemployed Kevin Foster, 29, was charged on Wednesday over an assault and possession of a BBM Bruni Mod 92 handgun with intent to cause fear of violence at the Lagoon Hair Salon, in Hackney, east London, in July.
He will also appear at Waltham Forest Magistrates’ Court next week charged with transferring or selling the firearm to another party.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “The Metropolitan Police Service has reviewed the original investigation conducted by two officers from Hackney borough into the actual bodily harm and possession of a firearm with intent incident that took place on 29 July in Kingsland Road, Hackney.
“Due to concerns about the quality of the investigative response the MPS has voluntarily referred the investigation to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
“They have informed us that they will conduct an independent investigation. The MPS has put both officers on restricted duties pending the outcome of this investigation.”
