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Police shot Chelsea lawyer at least five times
The family law specialist died from multiple gunshot wounds with more than one type of bullet, a preliminary post mortem report to Westminster Coroner's Court revealed.
- Reuters
- Published: 23:56 May 9, 2008
London: The barrister who died in an armed siege in the exclusive London area of Chelsea was shot at least five times by police, an inquest heard on Friday.
Mark Saunders, 32, was found dead at his flat in Markham Square, just off King's Road, after a five-hour stand-off with armed officers on Tuesday.
During the siege, witnesses reported seeing Saunders carrying a shotgun which he fired about six times.
The family law specialist died from multiple gunshot wounds with more than one type of bullet, a preliminary post mortem report to Westminster Coroner's Court revealed.
It also said Saunders did not die from a shotgun wound.
"The multiple gunshot wounds present are associated with severe internal damage to the brain, the heart, the liver and the main vein of the lower body," the report said.
"The external and internal gunshot-related damage is consistent with a minimum of five shots having hit the deceased.
"The nature of the wound and the projectile material recovered from the body suggests that more than one type of bullet has hit the deceased," the report said.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has opened an inquiry into the shooting.
Wife identified body
Saunders' wife, Elizabeth Clarke, also a barrister, identified the body earlier this week.
Some newspapers have suggested the incident was the result of a matrimonial dispute but Clarke said in a statement she and her husband had had a "strong union" and were deeply committed to each other. She had not been in the flat at the time.
"She was in fact at work, and arrived home only after the area had been cordoned off," said a statement released on her behalf by her husband's law chambers.
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