Update on IOPC investigation into Milton Keynes fatal police shooting

Published: 02 Jul 2021
News

We have today confirmed the man who was fatally shot by a Thames Valley Police (TVP) officer on 26 June as Kelvin Igweani, aged 24, who was a resident of Milton Keynes.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned at Milton Keynes.

We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting at a property in Denmead, Two Mile Ash, at around 9.40am on Saturday (26 June).

Another man in his 30s also died at the scene and an inquest into his death also opened and adjourned today. His death is subject to a separate investigation by HM Coroner, with TVP carrying our enquiries on the coroner’s behalf.

Inside the property, officers found a two-year-old child with serious injuries, who remains in a life-threatening condition in hospital. The cause of these injuries remains unexplained at this time and we are working closely with TVP to establish those circumstances.

We have established that TVP officers were responding to a report of a domestic incident. While en route, they received information that a man was attempting to harm a child and that another man in the address was also at risk.

We have viewed some of the body worn video evidence and can see that officers forced entry to the property and immediately came across a deceased male.

They were then approached by Mr Igweani and Taser was discharged. This Taser discharge appeared ineffective.

Mr Igweani moved to another room in the address with a young child and closed the door. The officers heard noises from the room and on their body worn video they say how they believed Mr Igweani may have been harming the child.

As the officers entered the room, Mr Igweani moved towards them and one officer fired four shots. Taser was again discharged.

Medical attention was provided to Mr Igweani but this was unsuccessful and, sadly, he was pronounced dead at 10.33am.

IOPC Regional Director Graham Beesley said:

“This was a tragic incident and our thoughts remain with the family and friends of all involved and everyone else affected.

“It is vital that whenever police use lethal force that this is carefully investigated. Our investigation, which is fully independent of police, will look at all available evidence to establish the circumstances that led to this situation.

“Our investigators went to the residence on Saturday and Sunday to oversee forensic examination of the scene, and attended the police post incident procedures, during which officers provided their initial witness accounts.

“We will continue to collect evidence and review footage of this incident and forensic analysis of the scene, which will inform the scope of our investigation.”


Tags
  • Death and serious injury
  • Use of force and armed policing