The fatal shooting of a man in Hull by a Humberside Police officer will be reinvestigated following a judicial review, the police watchdog announced today.
Lewis Skelton, aged 31 at the time, was carrying an axe in Francis Street in Hull city centre when he was shot twice by an officer on 29 November 2016. In April, a High Court Judge ruled that the police watchdog must re-review its decision not to hold a new investigation into the fatal shooting.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which acts as the police watchdog claimed other efforts to detain Lewis, including the use of a Taser, had been unsuccessful. But the jury of an inquest into Lewis' death found he was "unlawfully killed".
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The 2021 inquest hinged on whether the police officer who fired the shots genuinely believed the lives of three workmen nearby were at “imminent risk” of being killed or coming to serious harm. The officer who shot him, only known as B50, claimed the workmen were "about 60 metres away" and getting closer.
"I shouted at them to get out of the way but I don’t think they heard me," he told the inquest. CCTV played during the inquest showed Lewis running down Caroline Place with two officers in pursuit.
Humberside Police said it would cooperate fully with the new investigation but could not comment further at this time. IOPC Regional Director Emily Barry said: "Our thoughts remain with Mr Skelton’s family and loved ones as well as all those whose lives have been affected by his death.
"While we are disappointed with the High Court ruling, which used a different interpretation of our reinvestigation policy than we did, we respect the judge’s findings. Having carefully considered their comments, we believe there is now a requirement for the IOPC to re-open the investigation into the shooting of Mr Skelton.
"We are extremely conscious of the impact this decision will have on all those involved. While the length of inquest and legal proceedings are beyond our control, we know that it benefits nobody to have key questions unanswered so long after Mr Skelton’s death.
"We also appreciate that this decision will be concerning for many of the armed officers who put their own safety at risk to protect the public. A dedicated team, with no connection to the original IPCC investigation, has been set up to ensure this investigation is completed as quickly and proportionately as possible.
"We are also reviewing our reinvestigation policy, in light of the judge’s comments, to ensure it more accurately reflects the original intent behind it."
Neil Hudgell, of Hudgell Solicitors, is representing the family of Lewis Skelton. He said: "Lewis’ family welcome the decision of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (“IOPC”) to reinvestigate the death of their much loved father, son, brother and uncle.
"The IOPC must now do the right thing by Lewis Skelton and his family. There must be a full, fair, fearless and objective reinvestigation of the events which led to Lewis’s death in 2016.
"No bereaved family ought to need to go to Court time, and time, and time again, to secure answers and accountability following a death at the hands of armed police. We regret that it took a decision of the High Court in this case for the IOPC to discharge its statutory duties.
"Our clients’ confidence in this process has been shattered by their experience. The apparent reluctance by the IOPC to re-open an admittedly flawed investigation in the circumstances of this case is deeply damaging to public confidence.
"All steps must be taken now to complete this independent re-investigation with a rigour absent in the conclusions of 2017 and 2022. Until the family have proper answers to all their questions, they cannot find closure and properly grieve for the loss of Lewis."
A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: "We have been made aware of the IOPC’s decision to reopen the investigation into the death of Lewis Skelton, following a judicial review of their decision not to reinvestigate.
"We will cooperate fully as required throughout the investigative process, however it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time. Our thoughts and condolences remain with Lewis’ family and friends, as well as the officers involved in this very sad and tragic event."
