Investigation into fatal police shooting in Carlisle - Cumbria Constabulary, December 2022

In December 2022, Cumbria Constabulary firearms officers were called to a property in the Botcherby area, where it was reported a man was making threats to kill, and young children were present.

Once inside, the officers identified an imminent threat to a child and two armed officers discharged their weapons. A man suffered injuries to his head and chest and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Our investigation established that seven shots were fired by two officers. Both told investigators they were acting under the belief there was an imminent threat to the child’s life.

We looked at whether the force used by officers, including the discharge of a firearm, was in line with all relevant training and guidance.

Over the course of the investigation, we gathered a large volume of evidence including obtaining accounts from 11 Cumbria Constabulary officers, reviewing body-worn video showing what happened while outside and inside the property, and a training expert in armed policing provided a report on whether the officers’ actions were in line with policy and training.

At no stage in our investigation was there any indication that any of the officers involved may have breached police professional standards or committed a criminal offence. They all provided statements as witnesses, which greatly assisted us in establishing the course of events.

On conclusion of the investigation, in November 2023, our findings were shared with Cumbria Constabulary and the Coroner.

The evidence we gathered shows the officers acted to protect a child whose life they believed was in very real and immediate danger.

The officers acted swiftly to gain entry to the room to prevent any injury to the child. We found the decision to shoot the man was in line with all relevant training and guidance in those circumstances.

We carefully considered whether there were any learning opportunities arising from the investigation. We make learning recommendations to improve policing and public confidence in the police complaints system, and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.

In this case, the investigation has not identified any learning.