Man fatally shot in Romford identified

18 Apr 2018 01:47 PM

A 41-year-old man who was fatally shot by Metropolitan Police Service officers on morning of Monday 9 April in Romford has been identified as Richard Cottier.

Mr Cottier, was shot by two MPS firearms officers at a petrol station in the Collier Row area at about 4.45am.

We are independently investigating the circumstances leading up to Mr Cottier’s death. Initial information indicates that officers responded when Mr Cottier called the police in the early hours of the morning informing them that he had taken an overdose and alleging that he had a firearm in his possession. A further call from a member of the public reporting a man with a firearm was also received.   

Mr Cottier was located at the Esso petrol station on Collier Row Road and officers fired two shots. He died at the scene.

Our investigators attended the scene and the post incident procedure where police officers provided their initial accounts of the incident.

Investigators returned to the area on Tuesday and Wednesday to carry out further enquiries including recovering CCTV as well as undertaking house-to-house enquiries. We are also examining body worn video footage from the officers involved. 

A post-mortem carried out on Thursday in the presence of an IOPC investigator found Mr Cottier died of gunshot injuries.

A ballistics expert has confirmed that the weapon carried by Mr Cottier was a modified air rifle.

IOPC Regional Director Jonathan Green said:

“We are at the very start of piecing together what happened to Mr Cottier on Monday morning and my thoughts are with his family and friends and all those affected by his death.

“Our investigation will be meticulous and independent in examining the circumstances surrounding Mr Cottier’s death.

“Already, our investigation has been helped by the independent witnesses we have identified and the CCTV retrieved covering the area as well as the body worn footage activated by the officers involved.

“Our investigators have met Mr Cottier’s family to offer our condolences and explain our role and will ensure they, the MPS and the Coroner are kept updated as the investigation continues.

“If anyone witnessed events who has not yet come forward we would be grateful to hear from them.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 0800 015 4877 or email collierrowroad@policeconduct.gov.uk