Police watchdog launches probe after armed officers shot at suspect 13 times

The police watchdog has launched an investigation after armed officers shot at a 21-year-old 13 times, leaving him fighting for his life.

The man is in a critical condition in hospital after six officers opened fire at a property in Hackney, London, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The police watchdog said a total of 13 shots were fired during the incident, and a non-police issue firearm was recovered at the scene.

Police were called to the address in Mandeville Street, Clapton, after receiving reports of an armed robbery of a vehicle at 10.50pm.

The Met Police said: “A police firearm was discharged and a man was injured. He has been taken by the London Ambulance Service to an east London hospital. No reports of any other persons injured.”

The victim was taken to Royal London Hospital for treatment.

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• Police watchdog launches probe after armed officers shot at suspect 13 times

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was contacted by the Met Police at 3.20am on Tuesday morning and had also met with the 21-year-old’s parents to explain their role.

Regional director Jonathan Green said: “A young man is in hospital in a critical condition and my thoughts go to all those affected by this incident.”

He said investigators had been at the scene overseeing the collection of forensic evidence and key witness accounts from officers.

“We have also been provided with a large amount of body worn video footage some of which we have viewed and we will continue to do so over coming days to establish the sequence of events which culminated in this serious incident,” he added.

“We have been able to verify that six officers discharged their weapons a total of 13 times during the incident and can confirm that a non-police issue firearm was recovered from the scene.

“We will be conducting a robust independent investigation to find out the circumstances leading up to the firing of the weapons and the actions of officers immediately afterwards.”