Man shot dead in police stand-off named

A man shot dead by police during an armed stand-off in Bedford has been named.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Angelo Russo, 41, died from a gunshot wound to the chest on 12 May after he was seen "waving what appeared to [be] a pistol-type weapon through the window".

It was the culmination of a stand-off that lasted a number of hours at a property on Aylesbury Road.

The watchdog said it had taken accounts from officers and it was reviewing "a significant amount" of footage to find out what led to the shooting.

"At this stage in our investigation, all officers are being treated as witnesses," it said.

The IOPC said Russo "had been suffering with mental health difficulties including in the lead-up to this incident, and his family has advised that he was known to the mental health crisis team".

It said to assist its investigation it had obtained and was reviewing footage from drones, vehicles, neighbours, police and body-worn cameras.

"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," it said.

At the time he was shot, he had "opened the window and was pointing the weapon in the direction of armed officers", the watchdog added.

A ballistics expert described the weapon as an air pistol and it was being further tested.

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 he would review the IOPC report, but 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."

Some neighbours told the BBC at the scene that Russo was a "harmless" and "polite" man, while another said he had been making noise in recent weeks but had not been "causing any trouble".

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