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Officer shooting inquests opened | |
(29 minutes later) | |
Inquests into the deaths of a policeman shot during a domestic disturbance and a man thought to have killed him have been opened and adjourned. | |
Pc Richard Gray, 43, from Dundee, was shot dead at the scene in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, on Sunday. | 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. |
Coroner John Ellery identified the pair at the hearing in Shrewsbury. | |
The inquest, at the town's magistrates court, heard Mr Medlicott's body was identified by his brother-in-law. | |
Mr Ellery, coroner for North and Mid-West Shrewsbury, said Mr Medlicott was born in March 1974, was single and was employed as a construction company ground worker at the time of his death. | |
[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's body was identified by a colleague. | |
A date has not yet been given for when the inquest will resumed. | |
Married Pc Gray, known as Ricky, was a firearms-trained police officer who had been commended five times for bravery. | 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. | 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". |
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. |
'Excellent officer' | |
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. | 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. | The inquest is expected to hear identification evidence of the two men before being adjourned. |