The Police Ombudsman's investigation focused on the discharge of three rounds by police during an operation to foil an armed robbery at a supermarket in Downpatrick.
The shots were fired after a suspect, armed with a handgun, was seen to grab a cash box as it was being delivered to an automatic telling machine (ATM). Having grabbed the cash box the suspect found himself confronted by three armed police officers who had been deployed to the area in response to advance information about the raid.
Having dropped the box the man ran off, but continued to point his gun at the officers, one of whom fired three aimed warning shots, the first at a wall behind him, and two more into the ground. The shots caused the suspect to hesitate, allowing officers to force the gun from his hand and arrest him.
As the man was being arrested, a car was driven at high revs towards one of the officers. He responded by pointing his gun at the vehicle and illuminating a torch on the underside of the weapon. This caused the driver of the vehicle to swerve erratically and head for the car park exit. The car subsequently crashed into a ditch and another suspect was arrested. The car was later established to have been fitted with false number plates, and had been stolen earlier in the month in Co. Armagh. The weapon was found to have been a blank firing handgun. Neither of the men arrested made any complaint regarding their treatment by police officers.
Outcome of investigation:
Police Ombudsman Mrs Nuala O'Loan stated: "In taking into account all the circumstances and evidence in this case I conclude that the discharge of the firearm at a person who was pointing a firearm at officers following warnings being shouted, was proportionate and in accordance with force instructions and training."
The Police Ombudsman also established that the officer who discharged his weapon was fully trained and properly authorised to use the gun.