An inquest jury today heard details of the harrowing moment that Shropshire police officer Richard Gray was shot dead as his colleague shouted for him to get out of the way.
In a radio transmission to police controllers Constable Matthew Crisp could be heard shouting out to Constable Gray before reporting that his colleague had been shot.
Constable Gray was killed in Castlefields, Shrewsbury, as he and Constable Crisp rushed to the aid of two unarmed colleagues being held hostage by Peter Medlicott, 33. Mr Medlicott also died after apparently turning his gun on himself.
Detective Sergeant Alan Crossley today played audio evidence to the jury.
The recordings included calls from Mr Medlicott’s girlfriend Ethel Mildred Jones, transmissions by Constables Keiron Cornell, Crisp and Gray, a conversation between the duty inspector and Constable Gray and Constable Crisp’s transmission.
Constable Crisp could be heard shouting: “Ricky, out of the way.” Then he shouted into his radio: “Officer down. Officer down. Officer shot. Ricky’s been shot.”
Yesterday Constable Crisp said he and Constable Gray, both firearms specialists, had planned to put on bullet-proof vests near to the scene.
As they drove along New Park Road, they saw Constables Cornell and Sharon Phillips held at gunpoint.
Constable Crisp said: “We did not expect to see them. This affected the decision. There was no time to stop and kit up with ballistic vests.”
The hearing continues.
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