Siege barrister shot five times


Armed officers were involved in a gunfight at the scene



A barrister was hit at least five times by police weapons during a shoot-out at his home, an inquest has heard.
Mark Saunders, 32, died after exchanging shots with police in Chelsea, south-west London on Tuesday.
The inquest at Westminster Coroner's Court was told he was hit with more than one type of bullet.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is investigating the death, confirmed there were three separate exchanges of fire with police.
A report, by pathologist Dr Nathaniel Carey, said Mr Saunders did not suffer injuries from his own shotgun.
Severe damage
It added there was severe damage to Mr Saunders's brain, heart, liver and the main vein of the lower body.
"The external and internal gunshot-related damage is consistent with a minimum of five shots having hit the deceased," the report read.
"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 inquest heard that Mr Saunders's wife, Elizabeth Clarke, identified his body at Westminster Public Mortuary on Thursday.
The siege lasted about five hours



No members of Mr Saunders's family were present during the hearing.
Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigating officer Paul Craig told the inquest there were three separate shooting incidents between Mr Saunders and various armed police officers in Markham Square where he lived.
Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Osborne told the hearing: ""The death of any individual is regrettable.
"In such circumstances as these it makes it even more traumatic for those involved."
Officers were called at about 1650 BST after reports a gun was fired from a house towards another home
Armed police fired back when they came under attack and the area nearby was sealed off as the siege began.
The incident was brought to an end at about 2200 BST when police stormed the house after four explosions, thought to be stun grenades, were heard. Friday morning's hearing lasted about 10 minutes. It was adjourned for four months - the IPCC will then deliver a preliminary report.