Watchdog launches investigation following death of man after police stand-off

Armed officers and negotiators from West Yorkshire Police (WYP) were called to a domestic incident at 12.35pm in Stanningley on Sunday (June 9) where a man appeared to be in possession of a handgun.

Officers forced entry to the property on Half Mile Green at around 10.50pm that evening where the man was found with critical injuries. He was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead on Monday morning.

A post-mortem will take place in due course.

The IOPC received a mandatory referral from WYP following the incident and sent an officer to the scene to begin their investigation. They said in a statement: “a non-police firearm was found at the scene which the early evidence suggests had been discharged.

“We have also established that police deployed CS gas and a distraction device, which let off several loud bangs as officers made entry.”

IOPC Regional Director Emily Barry said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends and all those affected by the tragic incident on Sunday.

“Given a man has died after coming into contact with police then it’s our role is to independently investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident including the actions and decisions taken by the police.

“We appreciate that the community will want answers quickly and our investigators are working hard to establish the facts and piece together the sequence of events on the night.”