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Inquests due in officer shooting | |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Inquests are due to open on a policeman shot dead during a domestic disturbance and a man thought to have killed him. | |
Pc Richard Gray, 43, from Dundee, was shot dead at the scene in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, on Sunday. | |
Gunman Peter Medlicott is believed to have shot Pc Gray with a .222 calibre rifle he used for pest control work, before turning the weapon on himself. | Gunman Peter Medlicott is believed to have shot Pc Gray with a .222 calibre rifle he used for pest control work, before turning the weapon on himself. |
Inquests will be opened on Tuesday by the coroner for Mid and North West Shropshire, John Ellery. | |
Married Pc Gray, known as Ricky, was a firearms-trained police officer who had been commended five times for bravery. | |
West Mercia Chief Constable Paul West said he had previously won recognition for his part in the arrests of two armed men. | |
Detectives confirmed 33-year-old Mr Medlicott's rifle was "legally held". | Detectives confirmed 33-year-old Mr Medlicott's rifle was "legally held". |
[Pc Gray] was very popular with his colleagues, extremely well-liked and held in the highest regard Paul West, West Mercia chief constable Profile: Pc Richard Gray | [Pc Gray] was very popular with his colleagues, extremely well-liked and held in the highest regard Paul West, West Mercia chief constable Profile: Pc Richard Gray |
A post-mortem examination revealed both men died from single gunshot wounds to the head. | A post-mortem examination revealed both men died from single gunshot wounds to the head. |
The force said a police armed response unit had been called to attend a domestic incident at 0610 BST on Sunday in New Park Road. | |
Unarmed officers had initially attended the scene, as there was indication of an armed threat, before they radioed for help saying they had been held at gunpoint. | Unarmed officers had initially attended the scene, as there was indication of an armed threat, before they radioed for help saying they had been held at gunpoint. |
"Both authorised firearms officers were armed and as they went forward they were confronted by a man who shot Pc Ricky Gray, " said Det Ch Insp Sheila Thornes. | "Both authorised firearms officers were armed and as they went forward they were confronted by a man who shot Pc Ricky Gray, " said Det Ch Insp Sheila Thornes. |
"Approximately an hour later, the body of a man, now identified as Medlicott, was located by officers close to the scene." | "Approximately an hour later, the body of a man, now identified as Medlicott, was located by officers close to the scene." |
She said police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting. | She said police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting. |
Mr West told a press conference on Monday: "Pc Gray was an excellent officer. He was very popular with his colleagues, extremely well-liked and held in the highest regard. | Mr West told a press conference on Monday: "Pc Gray was an excellent officer. He was very popular with his colleagues, extremely well-liked and held in the highest regard. |
"The fact he had been recommended for five commendations spoke volumes about his character." | "The fact he had been recommended for five commendations spoke volumes about his character." |
The officer had previously worked for Cheshire Constabulary, serving in the Warrington area from 1997. He later joined the armed response unit before transferring to West Mercia Police in 2003. | The officer had previously worked for Cheshire Constabulary, serving in the Warrington area from 1997. He later joined the armed response unit before transferring to West Mercia Police in 2003. |
The inquest is expected to hear identification evidence of the two men before being adjourned. |