Sean Fitzgerald

Inquest to open into death of man shot by West Midlands Police Firearms Officer

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Press releases
3 April 2025

Before HM Assistant Coroner Sir John Saunders
Coventry Coroner’s Court, Warwick Crown Court, Warwickshire Justice Centre Newbold Terrace, Leamington Spa CV32 4EL
Opens Monday 7 April 2025, expected to last 6 weeks

Sean Fitzgerald, 31, died after being shot in the chest by a West Midlands police firearms officer, known as Officer K, as Sean exited a property in Burnaby Road, Coventry, on 4 January 2019.

Now, over six years after his death, Sean’s inquest will take place to consider the circumstances of his death. 

His family seek a full and fearless investigation, including in relation to the actions of the officer who shot Sean, and the three police forces who are also Interested Persons in the inquest.

Ahead of the inquest hearing opening, Liam Fitzgerald, Sean’s brother, said: “We have waited over six years for Sean's inquest to take place. During that time we have felt let down and disrespected by the system. We do now though hope that a thorough and fair analysis of the evidence will tell us exactly what happened to Sean.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information please call 020 7263 1111.

The family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Helen Stone of Hickman and Rose, and Adam Straw KC, Tayyiba Bajwa, and Tom Stoate of Doughty Street Chambers.

Other Interested Persons represented at the inquest are the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, the Chief Constable of West Mercia Police, the Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police, Officer K, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)

Twenty-five officers have been granted anonymity in the inquest.

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