A MAN who was shot dead by cops after waving a pistol-type weapon through a window has been named, reports the police watchdog.
Angelo Russo, 41, was at a property in Bedford, Bedfordshire, when police said he made threats to them.
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Angelo Russo, 41, was shot dead by officers in Bedford, Bedfordshire, after waving a ‘pistol-type weapon’ Credit: Toby Shepheard / Story Picture Agency
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said that Russo had been suffering from mental health difficulties leading up to the incident Credit: Toby Shepheard / Story Picture Agency
After an overnight stand-off with officers, he was shot dead after presenting what “appeared to [be] a pistol-type weapon”.
Bedfordshire Police were initially on Aylesbury Road at around 10.40pm on May 11 following reports of vehicles being damaged.
While at the scene, the cops noticed a man “barricaded” inside of a semi-detached house and said he began making threats to them.
Specialist armed officers and police negotiators arrived at the property and tried to engage with Russo overnight.
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The police say he showed a weapon to the officers through a window and was shot at around 9.30am the following morning.
Russo was pronounced dead an hour after he was shot with his next of kin notified of his death.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) was referred to the shooting, with the watchdog taking accounts of officers at the scene.
The IOPC said: “We have established from footage that shortly before Mr Russo was shot, he was seen waving what appeared to be a pistol-type weapon through the window of the Aylesbury Road property.
“At this stage in our investigation, all officers are being treated as witnesses.”
The watchdog said that Russo had been “suffering with mental health difficulties” leading up to the event.
At the time of the shooting, he had “opened the window and was pointing the weapon in the direction of armed officers”, it said.
The weapon held by Russo was later described by ballistics experts as an air pistol.
IOPC director Emily Barry said: “Our thoughts remain with Mr Russo’s family and with everyone impacted by this tragic incident.
“Given that this incident began the previous evening, there are significant amounts of evidence, including hours of footage, that our investigators are working hard to review as we piece together what occurred.
“It’s important that we now allow the investigation to run its course, and our report and findings will be shared with the coroner to assist with inquest proceedings.”
John Tizard, Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Armed policing officers are highly trained and disciplined and keep us all safe.
“Firing firearms is very rare and should only be used when there is risk to life and no alternative is available.”
