Shropshire Star

Watchdog completes probe into fatal police shooting of Westminster attacker

The IPCC has passed its report on Khalid Masood to HM Coroner and the Metropolitan Police.

Published
(Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The police watchdog has completed its investigation into the fatal police shooting of the man who carried out the Westminster terror attack.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said its report into the circumstances surrounding the incident on March 22 has been passed to HM Coroner and the Metropolitan Police.

Kent-born Khalid Masood, 52, was shot dead by armed officers after he drove a rental car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before fatally stabbing Pc Keith Palmer, 48, in the Palace of Westminster’s forecourt.

American tourist Kurt Cochran, 54, retired window cleaner Leslie Rhodes, 75, Aysha Frade, 44, and Romanian tourist Andreea Cristea, 31, also died as a result of Masood’s rampage.

The IPCC also confirmed that its investigation into the fatal shootings of the three men behind the London Bridge terror attack, less than three months later, is at an “advanced stage”.

Police and forensic officers outside Borough Market after the terror attack (Nick Ansell/PA)
Police and forensic officers outside Borough Market after the terror attack (Nick Ansell/PA)

As well as the shootings of attackers Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, at Borough Market, the inquiry team is looking at how a member of the public was shot by police, receiving a serious but non-fatal gunshot wound.

None of the armed police officers involved in either attack have been under investigation at any point, the watchdog said.

IPCC deputy chairwoman Sarah Green said of the Westminster attack: “Our investigation has now concluded and our report into the shooting has been provided to both HM Coroner and the Metropolitan Police Service in line with our duties in these circumstances.

“The position has remained throughout the investigation that no police officers were ever under investigation.

“The IPCC and the Metropolitan Police followed agreed working arrangements related to terrorism incidents, which worked well.

“Our investigation into the fatal shootings of three men at Borough Market on 3 June has followed the same arrangements and is now at an advanced stage.

“As part of the investigation into the deaths of Khuram Butt, Youssef Zaghba and Rachid Redouane, the investigation team are also looking at the circumstances in which a member of the public in the immediate vicinity received a serious but non-fatal gunshot wound.

“Our investigation has made good progress. All major investigative steps have now been completed and, similarly, at no point have officers been under investigation.

Police at the east London home of  London Bridge attacker Khuram Butt (Nick Ansell/PA)
Police at the east London home of London Bridge attacker Khuram Butt (Nick Ansell/PA)

“When the investigation is concluded we will pass our investigation report to HM Coroner, City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police in advance of the inquest into the deaths of the three men.”

Eight people died and dozens of others were injured during the June 3 atrocity which saw the three knifemen mow down pedestrians on London Bridge with a van, before stabbing people in Borough Market with 12in (30cm) knives.

Armed police killed ringleader Butt, Redouane and Zaghba just eight minutes after the first emergency call was made.

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