12/06/2007

Inquiry launched into fatal shooting of woman by police

An investigation has been launched by the Independent Police Complaints Commission into the fatal shooting of a woman in Kent by police on Monday.

Ann Sanderson, 37, was shot after police were called to reports of a woman seen with a firearm near High Street in Sevenoaks around 1:20am on Monday morning.

Armed officers attended the scene and it is understood that police fired a single shot.

Ms Sanderson was given first aid at the scene and an ambulance was called, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is understood that a firearm has been recovered from the scene.

Witnesses described hearing shouting, followed by a single gunshot around 3am.

Part of the town centre, close to the bus station, was sealed off following the incident.

IPCC Commissioner Nicola Williams said: "I send my sympathies to the woman's family and friends and also the police officers concerned.

"Whenever there is a fatal shooting by police, our independent investigators go to the incident immediately."

Prior to Monday's shooting, the only woman to have been shot dead by police since 1980 was 16-year-old Gail Kinchin, who was accidentally killed by West Midlands police while she was being held hostage.

(KMcA/JM)






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