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Man shot dead by police firearms officer in St Neots is identified locally
The scene of the shooting in Duck Lane, St Neots. - Credit: Archant
A man has died after he was shot by a police firearms officer in St Neots last night (Wednesday).
Shooting, Duck Lane, St Neots, - Credit: Archant
Police were called at 7.45pm yesterday (October 21) after reports that people in a property in Duck Lane were concerned for their safety.
Officers attended the scene and at just after 8pm a man, who has been identified locally as 41-year-old Richard Davies, was shot by a firearms officer.
The Magpas air ambulance and East of England Ambulance Service were both called to attend but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
No one else was injured in the incident.
Mr Davies, a father-of-three, was an employee of Bosch Rexroth, in St Neots.
Residents in Duck Lane described hearing a commotion as police arrived at the scene of the house.
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Neighbours in the cordoned off area were allowed to leave their houses this morning but were unable to get their vehicles out as police surrounded the area.
Gordon Woodend, of Duck Lane, said: “I heard a couple of shots and I saw the police go in to the house, I thought they would shoot somebody.
“I’ve seen the couple about but I don’t really know them. I wouldn’t expect this kind of thing on this neighbourhood.”
Another neighbour, who didn’t want to be identified, said: “I heard the shots ring out and thought at first that they were fireworks and then I saw police in the street.
Shelly Cox, who lives in Whitehall Walk said: “I heard shots, then my granddaughter, who lives in Duck Lane with her mum, rang up and said ‘nanny we’ve got the police everywhere around here.”
Mrs Mingard, who also lives in Whitehall Walk, added: “I just heard shots being fired but as it is a bit on your doorstep it’s a bit scary.
“I saw the blue lights of the police as the arrived as well.”
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has launched an independent investigation into the shooting.
A spokesman said: “Following a referral from Cambridgeshire police, the IPCC declared an independent investigation at approximately 9.30pm and investigators were immediately deployed to the scene.
“The man’s next of kin have been informed of his death and the area will remain cordoned off for some time whilst IPCC investigators undertake the scene management process.
“The investigation is in the very early stages and we are unable to provide further details at this time.”
