Gunman committed 'suicide by cop'

An inquest jury is believed to have made legal history by returning a verdict of suicide on a man shot dead by police.

Although 62-year-old Michael Malsbury did not fire the fatal shot, the jury heard he had a "cowboy attitude" towards armed police during a nine-hour siege at his home in Harrow, north west London.

He was shot in the chest as he stepped out of his bedroom saying: "Better get your guns out lads, I'm coming out," and firing a shot at officers.

The Police Complaints Authority is now investigating whether a number of other firearms victims had intended to be killed by police.

I want you particularly to bear in mind the words 'suicide by cop'

Coroner Dr William Dolman

The siege began when Mr Malsbury barricaded himself in his house on 14 November 2001, after attacking his wife with a rolling pin. She was taken to hospital before police arrived.

Firearms officers surrounded the house from 0324 GMT until 1300 GMT, when a shot was fired from inside.

Pc Philip Joyles returned fire and Mr Malsbury was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Hornsey Coroner's Court heard how Mr Malsbury, a member of a gun club, referred to "high noon" throughout negotiations.

'Aware of consequences'

He had also told police had a powerful 9mm Glock, although actually he was armed with a small silver revolver.

Pc Joyles told the inquest: "Suicide by cop is a phrase which comes from America which describes people going through certain actions knowing that these actions will cause a police officer to kill them.

"Mr Malsbury probably was well aware of the consequences his actions were likely to have."

It is a vindication of the officers' actions, but it is still traumatic for all those involved

Glen Smyth, chairman Met Police Federation

Police found two suicide notes to his wife and a box of bullets.

Summing up, coroner Dr William Dolman told the jury: "I want you particularly to bear in mind the words 'suicide by cop'."

After the verdict he told them "I think we've made legal history today."

A Scotland Yard spokesman said the force regretted Mr Malsbury's death and extended its sympathies to his family.

He added firearms officers were trained to make split-second decisions and the number of police shootings in London was small.

Non-lethal weapons

Glen Smyth, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation said the inquest verdict in this kind of case was "long overdue", but added that each incident should be treated on its merits.

Rick Naylor, chief superintendent and vice president of the Police Superintendent's Association, said: "My initial thoughts are that this shows there is a crying need for non-lethal weapons, the use of weapons that can incapacitate but not kill."

Deborah Coles, co-director of Inquest, which helps the families of people who die in police custody, said the verdict was "perverse" and set a dangerous precedent.

"Common sense says this was not suicide. He was shot dead by the police," she said.

"How can that be suicide? It might well be lawful killing but it was not suicide.

"This verdict has come as quite a shock."