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Footballer, 24, shot dead by cops after ‘holding child captive’ and man’s body found in apartment

2021-07-02 00:00:00.0 太阳报-英国新闻原网页

A FOOTBALLER was shot dead by cops while holding a child captive after a taser they used to stun him was “ineffective,” an inquest heard today.

Odichukumma Kelvin Igweani, 24, was shot four times by police last month after they found the body of another man at his flat in Milton Keynes.

Kelvin Igweani was tasered and killed by police last month Credit: BV Westfalia Wickede

Cops raced to the scene after neighbours reported hearing a “horrible commotion” at the first floor property and forced their way in.

They found the body of a man in his 30s - who Igweani is suspected of killing - and a badly injured boy, six, along with a woman and girl who appeared unharmed.

Igweani was also inside.

David Bannister from the IOPC told Milton Keynes Coroner’s Court that an officer had “fired four shots” into the young man and that "a taser was also discharged” after bursting into a room where he was holding a child.

Igweani, known as Kelvin, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sportsman’s devastated parents were in court today, accompanied by a lawyer, to hear how their son was slain by officers in his home in Milton Keynes, Bucks, on Saturday morning.

Mr Bannister told how police had been called to a “domestic incident” at about 9.40am on June 26 at a block of flats in Denmead, Two Mile Ash, on the outskirts of the town.

He said: “Thames valley Police received a 999 call after reports of a domestic incident. A double armed auto response was deployed to the scene.

The footballer played for lower league teams in Germany Credit: Twitter 12

Cops at the scene where a child was found badly injured and two men died Credit: sbna_fairleys 12

Police were called after neighbours heard screaming Credit: PA

“On their way they were informed that another male was injured and a child was at risk.”

He continued: "Officers forced entry and they immediately came across a deceased male. They were confronted by Mr Igweani. A taser was deployed but it was ineffective.

“Mr Igweani moved into another room and closed the door. He was in the room with a young child. Officers believed Mr igweani was harming the child and forced entry.

“One officer fired four shots at him and a taser was also discharged. He was pronounced dead at 10.39.”

Igweani died from gunshot wounds to the chest. His body was formally identified by family.

Thames Valley Police has referred itself to The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and a full investigation is now underway into the fatal shooting.

Senior Coroner for Milton Keynes Mr Tom Osborne told the man’s parents, Nozi Igweani-Gilmartin and James Gilmartin, during the brief 10-minute hearing: “I give my sincere condolences to you and the wider family about the circumstances of Mr Igweani’s death.”

The footballer is reported to have played for lower league teams in Germany, including Westfalia Wickede in Dortmund.

Sports director Emre Konya told German outlet Ruhr Nachrichten: "He was a really nice guy.

"The news really took me away. When I heard that, I immediately had a lump in my throat."

The hearing was adjourned until November 17.

Officers fired shots after their taser proved ineffective Credit: @instablog9ja/Twitter 12

Forensics are examining the scene Credit: sbna_fairleys 12

Thames Valley Police have undertaken a mandatory referral to the IOPC Credit: PA

Emergency services were called to the scene and Mr Odinaka Igweani was given first aid but was pronounced dead at about 9.40am Saturday June 26.

One neighbour told The Times that an officer had left the property carrying a boy with blood on his face. The child was then rushed to hospital.

They said: “My wife was taking the rubbish out and that’s when she heard a scream.

“It was a man screaming and then she saw a police officer bring a young boy out and she could see blood on the boy’s face or head”.

One man living near the apartment said the family had only been living in the property for “a few months”, and described the couple as “quite friendly”.

The families of both men have been informed by officers of the incident.

The young child who was removed from the property was rushed to hospital in a serious condition.

'ABSOLUTELY TRAGIC'

As forensic teams scoured the six-flat block and surrounding gardens and pavements, shocked neighbours told of the horror.

Algars Vilsons told how he was disturbed by “a really weird sound” while sitting on his sofa playing computer games.

He said: “It sounded like someone was beating a dog. It sounded really horrible, it was really weird and I knew something was not right.”

Algars, 28, whose maisonette is at a right angle to the flat, said: “I heard all this commotion, there was shouting and screaming and swearing. It was going on for nearly 30 minutes. I had no idea what it was all about but it was a big row going on.

The bakery production operator told The Sun: “The windows were open and I heard a man keep telling a woman ‘He’s not dead, he’s alive. Trust me, I’m your husband.’

Neighbours have described hearing screams before officers arrived at the scene Credit: PA 12

Forensic officers were seen coming in and out of a property on the quiet close

“The woman sounded hysterical and the man kept repeating that ‘he’s not dead.’

“Lots of police turned up and I saw a young child who looked injured being carried out of the flat by an officer.

“Then a woman came out and about half an hour a second child was carried out by a police officer.

“I don’t know the people involved but it was a shocking situation. It’s normally so quiet and peaceful and we’ve never had any trouble here before.”

Assistant Chief Constable Christian Bunt, said at the time: “What has happened this morning can only be described as absolutely tragic and will no doubt have an impact on the community.

“Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by this incident.

“Our Major Crime Unit are working closely with the IOPC to understand exactly what has happened.

Neighbours explained that they were woken up by the "commotion" 12

Officers are not searching for anyone else in relation to the incident Credit: ？ Terry Harris