Tuesday, 8 December 2020 - 10:01am |
Southern

Police acknowledge IPCA findings in relation to fatal shooting

1 min read

Police acknowledge the findings of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) in relation to the fatal shooting of Graeme Warren in Kurow on 5 December 2019.
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The IPCA found that a Police officer was justified in shooting Mr Warren, as the officer was acting to defend himself and another officer.
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Officers had initially responded after Mr Warren¡¯s son alerted Police that Mr Warren was threatening to commit suicide.
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¡°The officers who responded to this matter made significant and ongoing attempts to communicate with Mr Warren, urging him to surrender to Police and not harm himself,¡± says Superintendent Paul Basham, Southern District Commander.
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¡°Unfortunately, when Mr Warren did exit his house, he threatened an officer and pointed his rifle at him, and then presented his rifle at a second officer.¡±
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¡°The second officer - fearing that he or his colleague were going to be grievously injured or killed - fired one shot, wounding Mr Warren in the abdomen.¡±?
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First aid was immediately provided and Mr Warren was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital. Sadly he died a short time later.
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¡°Mr Warren¡¯s death was a tragic outcome, which has been felt deeply both by his family and the wider Kurow community,¡± says Superintendent Basham.
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¡°However it is clear that the officers involved did absolutely everything they could to prevent Mr Warren harming himself, and to provide medical assistance after he was injured. I commend all those involved for the way they responded throughout this incident.¡±?
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ENDS
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Issued by Police Media Centre.?
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