Lawful Killing conclusion in the inquest into the death of Sean Fitzgerald following a fatal police shooting
22nd May 2025
The inquest into the death of Sean Fitzgerald concluded yesterday in Warwick Combined Court. The inquest was held before Sir John Saunders sitting with a jury and lasted for 6 weeks.
The jury returned a conclusion of Lawful Killing together with a narrative.
Mr Fitzgerald died on 4 January 2019 after being shot by a police officer who was involved in an operation to search an address in Coventry. Mr Fitzgerald was believed to be a member of an organised crime group (OCG) that was engaged in offences involving drugs and violence and had access to firearms. Mr Fitzgerald was not armed when he was shot.
Gerry Boyle KC and Stephen Morley acted for West Midlands Police, whose firearms team were involved in the search operation.
James Berry KC and Chloe Hill acted for West Mercia Police, whose officers were members of the Regional Organised Crime Unit that was conducting the investigation into Mr Fitzgerald and another member of the OCG.
Elliot Gold represented the IOPC at an earlier stage of the proceedings.
The case has attracted significant media coverage.
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