A man died of a gunshot wound to the head in front of his daughter during a police drugs raid at his home, an inquest has heard.
Unarmed officers had forced entry into 49-year-old Colin Berry's home in Clayton, Bradford, shortly after 1pm on April 4 and found him with a firearm in an upstairs bedroom along with his daughter.
The gun went off during a scuffle with police officers and Mr Berry was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jude Lee, who is an investigator with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), was giving evidence at an opening of an inquest yesterday into Mr Berry’s death.
She said police had gone to the address in Buckingham Close with a search warrant issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
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Officers had forced entry into the house and a number of them had gone upstairs and entered a bedroom where they saw Mr Berry in possession of a firearm.
“His daughter (Colleen) was with him at the time," she said.
“A scuffle seemed to ensue, it’s still under investigation, the firearm went off.”
Mr Berry was officially identified by his wife Jeanette Berry the next day, the inquest was told.
Acting Bradford Coroner Professor Paul Marks asked if a second post-mortem examination had been carried out but he was told neither Mr Berry's family nor the police had requested one.
Prof Marks then signed a form to release the father-of-three’s body for burial.
The IPCC became involved after the incident was referred to it by West Yorkshire Police and an investigator was sent to the scene. The next day the IPCC declared it would be carrying out an independent investigation.
Referrring to the circumstances of Mr Berry’s death Miss Lee told the inquest: “At present there’s no evidence there was any criminality but it is still under investigation.”
Mr Berry’s family did not attend the hearing.
Adjourning the inquest pending further inquiries, Prof Marks said: “My condolences are with the family for their sad loss.”
The Telegraph & Argus understands that none of the three members of the Neighbourhood Policing Team, who were involved in the raid at Mr Berry’s detached home, have been suspended from duties.
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