Exclusive: The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has found no grounds for disciplinary action after a Met officer shot an armed man during a four-hour stand-off in Higham Hill last October, reports Marco Marcelline.
A Metropolitan Police officer who shot an armed man following a four-hour stand-off in a Walthamstow cul-de-sac last October will face no disciplinary proceedings, the Echo can reveal.
Specialist Met officers were called to a Stow Crescent home just before 10am on 10th October 2025 to reports of a man with a firearm making threats to harm himself.
As the incident developed the man threatened to seriously harm anyone coming into the address, resulting in a lengthy stand-off.
The stand-off ended at roughly 2pm, when officers forced entry after hearing a loud bang from inside the property.
An officer then fired three shots towards Gregory Lazarus Hutchinson, 30, who was later found to be in possession of a sawn-off shotgun.
Hutchinson, who was hospitalised for five weeks, was subsequently charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
A nearly year-long investigation into the incident has seen the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) ultimately conclude no disciplinary proceedings were warranted.
In a statement to the Echo, the IOPC said: “During the investigation we reviewed police body worn footage, obtained statements from officers and examined relevant police records and force policies.
“The officers involved were treated as witnesses and at the end of our investigation, we found no indication that any officer may have behaved in a manner that would justify bringing disciplinary proceedings or may have committed a criminal offence.”
The Metropolitan Police welcomed the watchdog’s findings, stating: “We continued to support the IOPC during their investigation into this shooting, which has since concluded resulting in no disciplinary action against the officers involved.
“Our firearms officers respond to more than 4,000 incidents each year and play a key role in keeping London safe.
“Incidents where firearms are discharged remain extremely rare – there are only one or two incidents every year where shots are fired by police.”
On the day of the incident, neighbours told the Echo the events were “terrifying and unusual”.
One said: “It was scary. This was the first time I’ve encountered something like this. As a resident, I’m a bit nervous staying here now because you never know if it could happen again.”
Read the original story: Walthamstow man critical after being shot by police
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