Man Shot Dead by Police in Knaphill Named – Inquest Opened and Adjourned

Published on: 27 Aug, 2024
Updated on: 29 Aug, 2024

Update August 27: An inquest into the death of a Joel Stenning, 29, shot by police in Knaphill, was opened and adjourned today at Woking Coroner’s Court.

Coroner Simon Wickens adjourned the inquest for three months to allow the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to complete their investigation.

The coroner offered his condolences to Mr Stenning’s relatives who attended the hearing.

Update August 23: The man shot by police in Knaphill on August 11 has been named as Joel Stenning, aged 29. He died in hospital on August 15 after he was shot by a Surrey Police firearms officer at an address on Nursery Road.

An inquest will be opened on Tuesday, August 27 at Surrey Coroner’s Court in Woking. Following a post-mortem, a provisional cause of death was given as complications from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The case was immediately referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) by Surrey Police. Where a person has been fatally shot by police officers, the IOPC’s role is to independently establish all of the facts surrounding the incident.

Regional IOPC director Mel Palmer said: “We understand this fatal shooting has caused concern in the local and wider Surrey community and our investigators are working hard to establish all the circumstances, including the officers’ decision making and the sequence of events that led to the use of lethal force.

“Our thoughts remain with Mr Stenning’s family and everyone affected by this tragic incident. We will continue to provide regular updates to the parties involved and the Coroner is being kept informed.

“At this early stage, all officers are being treated as witnesses, which means that there is currently no indication of potential misconduct or criminality by any officer.”

Investigators are continuing to progress enquiries and will be reviewing witness statements, police radio transmissions, forensic reports and any available CCTV footage. They have also obtained police body-worn footage, police logs and statements from the officers involved and will also be reviewing police policy and guidance related to firearms tactics and training.

Update August 16: A man shot by armed police in the early hours of Sunday, August 11 in Knaphill, part of Woking Borough died yesterday (August 15).

In a short update statement a police spokesperson said: “Following the shooting of a man by police in Woking on Sunday, 11 August, we can confirm that he has since died in hospital. Our thoughts are with everyone affected at this difficult time.

“We will not be commenting further on the independent investigation into this incident, as it remains with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). We are continuing to support them in their investigation.”

IOPC Investigation Underway

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has confirmed it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal police shooting.

An IOPC spokesperson said: “We have established, via police call logs, that shortly after 12.30am on Sunday, Surrey Police received a report of an altercation on the street, where a man was reported to be carrying a firearm on Nursery Road in Knaphill, Woking. The caller reported that the man then went inside an address.

“Armed Surrey officers arrived shortly afterwards and approached the address, with cordons put in place. Police body worn footage shows officers calling for the occupant of the address to come to the door with nothing in their hands. The man opened the door and appeared to point a weapon in the officers’ direction.

“One shot was fired by a firearms officer, which struck the man shortly after 1.20am. A police baton round was also discharged.

“Officers provided immediate first aid. An ambulance was requested, and the man was taken to hospital.

“IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: “This is a tragic incident during which a man sadly lost his life. We have met with the man’s family to explain our role. Our thoughts are with them, and everyone affected by this incident.

“Fatal police shootings are rare. Given a person has died it’s important that an independent investigation is carried out to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident, including police actions and decision making and the use of lethal force.

“Our investigation is in its early stages, and we will keep the man’s family, and the force updated as our investigation progresses.”

“After being notified by the force shortly after 2am, we declared an independent investigation and sent investigators to attend the scene and the police post-incident procedures, where officers provided initial accounts.

“A scene examination took place on Sunday and house-to-house enquiries were carried out. A non-police issue weapon was located at the scene and has been seized. We have obtained police body worn footage and police logs, which we are reviewing. The Coroner has also been informed.”

August 11: A man was shot by armed police in the early hours of this morning (August 11) in Knaphill, part of Woking Borough.

Officers were called to an address on Nursery Road, Knaphill, at 12.36am following reports of an altercation between two people including a man armed with a weapon in the street.

Officers attended and a man in his 20s was shot by armed police at the scene. The man has been taken to hospital for medical treatment, where he remains at this time in a critical but stable condition. His next-of-kin have been informed.

An independent investigation has been launched after a mandatory referral made to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) following the shooting.

Both parties involved in this incident are known to each other, and there is no anticipated risk to the wider public. A weapon has been recovered.

A police spokesperson said: “We have made a mandatory referral to the IOPC and will be supporting their investigation. We will not be able to comment further on the independent investigation into this incident.

“Nursery Road is partially closed with limited foot and vehicle access to residents. Please avoid the area where possible for the time being. We appreciate the localised disruption this will cause and would like to thank the community for their cooperation and patience while our enquiries are underway.

“We are also appealing for anyone with any information that might assist with our enquiries to get in touch. If you saw or heard anything between 12.15am and 1.30am, or have CCTV, video doorbell, dash cam or helmet cam footage that might have captured all or part of this incident, please contact us quoting PR/45240091308 via: