Police shooting victim did not fire at officers

There is “no evidence” that a handgun found at the scene where Mark Duggan was killed by armed officers was used, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said.

The 29-year-old’s death, after receiving a gunshot wound to the chest last Thursday, prompted the first night’s rioting in Tottenham on Saturday.

An inquest, which opened yesterday at North London Coroner’s Court in High Barnet, heard that the father-of-four was pronounced dead at 6.41pm on the day of the shooting.

Colin Sparrow, deputy senior investigator for the Independent Police Complaints Commission, told the brief hearing that its “complex investigation” could take four to six months.

Coroner Andrew Walker adjourned the case to December 12, when a pre-inquest review will be held.

After the hearing, Mr Duggan’s family said they were deeply distressed by the street disorder in the wake of his death. In a statement on their behalf, Helen Shaw, from the organisation Inquest, said: “The investigation is ongoing and we want to establish the truth.

“The family want everyone to know that the disorder going on has nothing to do with finding out what has happened to Mark.

“They also want people to know they are deeply distressed by the disorder affecting communities across the country.”

Paul Anderson-Walsh, managing director of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, said the riots were outrageous and diverting attention away from key questions.