MAN SHOT DEAD BY POLICE IN CITY

A MAN has been shot dead by armed police officers at an address in Coventry - sparking an investigation into the actions of police.

Sean Fitzgerald - believed to be an ex squaddie - lost his life in the “preplanned” operation by West Midlands Police on Friday evening. He was only 31.

Officers armed with guns were executing a warrant at a property in Burnaby Road at around 6.20pm.

West Midlands Police said it was an “intelligence-led operation” that had taken place as the result of a “long-running criminal investigation”, but refused to give exact details of why its officers had entered the property. Two men, both aged 26, who had been arrested at the property on suspicion of being concerned in the production of cannabis on Friday night have been released from custody, one under bail and the other under investigation.

The events leading to the shooting are now being probed by police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Cameras worn by the police officers who entered the property have already been examined and forensic investigations carried out.

IOPC investigators were also searching for a gun at the property, but had not found anything on Saturday, January 5.

A spokesman for the IOPC refused to say yesterday whether a gun had since been found.

But they did reveal that, contrary to reports on social media, Mr Fitzgerald had not been shot in the back by officers.

Regional Director Amanda Rowe: “Our investigation is in its very early stages and we will be working hard to establish what happened. My thoughts are with the man’s family and all of those affected by this incident.

“At this stage we are looking at the circumstances of the incident and all officers remain witnesses to our investigation.”

A mini island near the scene of the fatal police shooting was filled with flowers and other moving tributes over the weekend as the outpouring of grief for Mr Fitzgerald began.

Among the huge number of tributes was a wreath of flowers spelling out Sean’s name and a Manchester United crest. Friends and family have also paid tribute to the 31-year-old, saying he was a “one of a kind” person who “would be there for anyone”.

A family member wrote online that she was “absolutely gutted” by his death. And a friend, who gave his name as Ali, said he had been with the “very, very good guy” shortly before he visited the home in Burnaby Road.

Ali said: “He’s served for all of us the police, everybody - in the Army up until last year.”

A post mortem examination is due to take place on Mr Fitzgerald’s body this morning.

Assistant Chief Constable at West Midlands Police Sue Southern said: “This is clearly a tragic incident that will be thoroughly investigated.

“His family are being supported by a specialist trained officer from the Independent Office for Police Conduct.”

She added: “We are liaising with the Independent Office for Police Conduct and will fully assist their investigation.”