Man Shot by Police on Hanger Green

Second gun incident in area in past few weeks

A man in his fifties was killed Tuesday evening 15th May following a shooting incident at Hanger Green near Park Royal tube station. He has been named as 52 year old Terry Nicholas a father of four.

The police say that officers from the specialist firearms unit as well as from Trident were conducting an intelligence led operation. Local people say that up to 30 police officers were at the scene many in unmarked cars. Mr. Nicholas was approached by police as he exited an Italian restaurant and was about get on his motorcycle. Three shots were heard by residents of the area and one said that she saw a man, who she later learnt was a police officer, firing a machine gun.

Police say the man was warned on more than one occasion before being shot. They have not confirmed yet whether he was armed but it has been suggested that he was about to take delivery of a hand gun and was in possession of a loaded firearm. One resident reported that the man was naked when the paramedics were attending to him.

The same man was involved in a shooting incident nearby in Huxley Gardens on 22nd April. The police have now disclosed that Terry Nicholas was the man shot by a gunman outside his home. He was given medical attention by an undercover police officer who was at the scene. Reportedly Mr. Nicholas had been moved to a safe house after the attack.

Officers from the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards are investigating. As is routine in all cases of this nature it has been referred the Independent Police Complaints Commission who have sent investigators to the scene. A large tent has been erected behind Paola's Italian restaurant.

The IPCC is appealing for witnesses to the incident. If you were in the area at the time please contact the IPCC Incident Room on 0800 096 9073 or email: hangergreen@ipcc.gov.uk. If you know of anyone who may have been in the vicinity at the time please forward this article to them.

May 18, 2007