Coroner Raises Police Firearms Training Concerns After Unarmed Man Shot Dead in Coventry

A coroner has raised serious concerns about police firearms training after Sean Fitzgerald, an unarmed man, was fatally shot during an armed raid in Coventry in 2019. West Midlands Police officers, investigating a suspected organized crime gang, used a chainsaw to break down the front door of a property while Fitzgerald exited through the back door, where he was shot by an officer who believed he was holding a gun. A jury concluded that Fitzgerald's death was lawful but found that officers failed to announce their presence clearly and consistently, both at the front and rear of the property, prior to entering. The prevention of future deaths report highlighted that current training and guidance do not provide a clear and consistent understanding of when armed officers should call out their presence, raising risks for both the public and officers. Coroner Sir John Saunders emphasized the need for improved training and tactics to ensure better safety and clarity during armed policing operations. This case has prompted calls for reforms in firearms officers' containment and call-out protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.