A police officer blasted to death with a shotgun by a colleague was playing the role of a criminal fleeing in a car, it has been revealed.
Pc Ian Terry was blasted in the chest from a high-powered gun as armed officers went through a drill to practise the dangerous tactic of stopping fleeing armed criminals.
The 32-year-old was rushed to North Manchester General Hospital after the incident, around 11.30am on Monday, but doctors could not save his life.
He had been shot during the exercise at a disused warehouse in Newton Heath, north Manchester, being used by officers to practice firearms exercises.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has now taken over the investigation of the incident and said Pc Terry died after being struck by a single shot discharged from a shotgun carried by a colleague.
Officers were using "special munitions" designed to stop vehicles, an IPCC spokesperson added.
But police and the Independent Police Complaints Commission would not say what type of bullet the officer was hit by. It came amid reports he was blasted by a cartridge containing CS gas.
The "hard-stop" exercises police practise, involves officers blasting a CS canister into suspects' cars to disable the occupants and other officers pulling alongside to shoot out the wheels.
Pc Terry, of Burnley, Lancashire, had been a firearms officer with Greater Manchester Police since 2002 after joining the police force in 1997. His devastated wife and family were too upset to speak of their grief.
Dave Whatton, acting Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police said: "This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with Ian's family and friends. He was a well-respected officer and will be sadly missed."
