Shooting of suspect justified, says judge

An inquiry has found police were justified in shooting at a man seven times after he pulled a blank-firing pistol on officers in Woolston.

Police were on an unrelated call on February 4 when they stopped to question Murray James Allan, 24, and another man in a parked car.

Officers thought they saw a cannabis pipe in the vehicle and said they were going to search it and called for backup, according to Star.kiwi.

Allan then pulled out a pistol and aimed it at one of the officers. Another officer then fired seven shots, one of which hit Allan in the side of the face, causing minor injury.

An Independent Police Conduct Authority decision released yesterday found the officer was justified in firing at Allan.

On February 3, officers were briefed that a safety alert had been issued concerning Allan and he was likely to be in possession of firearms.

Officers were told they could carry firearms if necessary as a result.

In his findings, authority chairman Judge Colin Doherty said the officer was aware a safety alert had been issued for Allan and he was considered a “significant risk” to police officers and the public.

“Given Mr Allan’s decision to present a pistol at the officers in a manner indicating an intention to shoot, it was not practical or realistic for the officer to use a lower level of force.”

Six of the shots hit the bonnet of the vehicle Allan was in, while the other hit the windscreen, and a fragment of the bullet hit Allan in the side of his face.

Canterbury district commander Superintendent John Price said they accepted the findings and supported the actions of the officers.

“The officer followed correct police processes and established that Mr Allan posed an immediate threat of death or grievous bodily harm and that he needed to use his firearm to defend himself and his fellow officers,” he said.

“I fully support their actions and am proud of the way they conducted themselves during this incident.”

The authority also found the officers were justified in arming themselves at the start of their shift, and said Allan received the appropriate medical assistance after he was injured.

In August, Allan was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to assault with a weapon, unlawful possession of an imitation firearm and ammunition, as well as three charges of dishonestly using stolen cheques.