The findings of an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation into the shooting of a man by police in Hull last year are expected before the end of the year.
Lewis Skelton, 31, died after ‘two live rounds’ were shot at him in Francis Street, Hull city centre, at 9.30 am on November 29 last year.
His death resulted in the IPCC case being launched, and his family instructed civil liberties specialists Hudgell Solicitors to act on their behalf.
Now, actions against the police Solicitor Leanne Stephenson say the findings of the investigation are expected before the end of the year. Mrs Stephenson said:
We have been kept up-to-date with the progress of the ongoing investigation by the IPCC and we thank them for that.
It is our understanding that all relevant officers who were called to the scene on this tragic day have now been interviewed and given their accounts of what they say happened and why, as has the commander from the operations room.
That is certainly welcome news as it hopefully means that Lewis’ family are closer to getting answers as to what happened on that day.
Lewis’ family accept and understand that the events of that day last year cannot be changed
We are hoping that, as part of the IPCC investigation, all relevant questions have been asked of Humberside Police with regard to their actions that morning, and whether there could have been another outcome to this matter which did not result in the loss of life.
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Family want ‘every avenue explored’ as part of the investigation
It is alleged that Mr Skelton had been carrying an axe when police were alerted by members of the public. A post-mortem examination showed he died from gunshot wounds.
His family informed investigators that he suffered from a mental health condition, and the IPCC recovered the weapons used on the morning, as well as searching Mr Skelton’s flat on Durham Street, as part of their investigation. Mr Skelton’s sister Laura said:
It has been such a long and difficult time since we lost Lewis last year. Not only was his sudden death a massive shock to us all, but the nature of it has been so hard to accept and understand.
It is vital to us that we feel every avenue is explored getting to the bottom of what actually happened that day.
