A man shot by police whilst allegedly wielding a chainsaw and wearing a gas mask and body armour has been named by his family as Sean O'Meara. The Telegraph, which spoke with O'Meara's half brother, has reported the identification of the 36-year-old man.
The shooting occurred at around 9pm close to The Park Gate Inn in Hollingbourne, near Maidstone on Monday. Kent Police officers had initially gone to a house in Ashford Road at around 7.15pm to arrest O'Meara on suspicion of assault.
Police believed suspect had firearm
O'Meara, who works as a plumber according to Companies House, remains in hospital receiving treatment for what are thought to be "life-changing" injuries to his arm and abdomen. Officers believed that he had a firearm or bomb, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
When O'Meara refused to leave the house, armed officers were deployed to the scene. Body-worn camera footage shows him holding a chainsaw and another object which officers believed appeared to be a handmade firearm or improvised explosive device.
Two baton rounds fired
He was also wearing a gas mask and body armour during the confrontation. The IOPC said a first baton round was fired by police and O'Meara then took cover behind a hedge.
Officers moved in and deployed a police dog as the situation escalated. O'Meara ignored orders to put down the chainsaw and a second baton round was discharged.
Weapons found at scene
Seconds later, he moved towards officers and was shot by an officer with a conventional firearm. Officers found weapons at the scene, including a chainsaw and a device which was "made safe" by a bomb squad.
Kent Police confirmed that the incident was not terror-related. IOPC director Amanda Rowe said police shootings are "fortunately rare" but the watchdog must independently investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
No officers under investigation
"Based on analysis of evidence gathered to date, no police officer is under investigation for either misconduct or criminality, they are being treated as witnesses," Rowe said. She added that investigators are working hard to establish the facts and piece together what occurred.
"We appreciate that the community will want answers quickly and our investigators are working hard to establish the facts," she said. "Our thoughts are with everyone affected."
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
