A convicted stalker who forced his way into a home while armed with a crossbow was shot dead by a police marksman after “threatening behaviour”, an inquest has heard.
Bryce Hodgson, 30, died from gunshot wounds to his neck and chest after a confrontation at a property in Bywater Close, Surrey Quays on January 30.
He was sentenced last July to a 16-week suspended prison sentence for stalking a 31-year-old woman who lived at the address, and was also banned from attending the property under the terms of a restraining order.
Southwark coroner’s court heard on Wednesday that Hodgson, an IT worker, had gone to the address while “armed with various weapons including a crossbow”.
Coroner Dr Julian Morris said: “Police were called to the scene, where he elicited some threatening behaviour and armed response units were called.
“Subsequently, shots were fired and he was pronounced dead at 5.37am.”
Harriet Griffiths, the lead IOPC investigator, told the hearing that she did not want to go into detail about the shooting as members of the media were present, and the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
“I can confirm what you said earlier”, she said.
“Mr Hodgson attended Bywater Place and he was armed with a crossbow and some other weapons. He gained entry to the property.
“Local units attended but were unable to detain him, shortly followed by firearms colleagues who, as you know, fired shots.”
An earlier statement from the IOPC confirmed that two shots had been fired from a police-issue weapon, while the inquest was told the fatal shooting happened just outside the Bywater Close address.
Hodgson, of West Dulwich, was wearing body armour, and he died at the scene. Crossbows, a knife, a sword and a hatchet were found at the house, the Metropolitan Police said.
The inquest heard Hodgson, who was born in Sheffield, was formally identified by his father.
Dr Morris adjourned the inquest to a later date to allow the IOPC investigation to progress.
