Metropolitan Police firearms officer lawfully killed Giedrius Vasiljevas, inquest jury finds
1 December 2025
The inquest into Giedrius’ death took place from 3 to 28 November at East London Coroner’s Court (pictured). Credit: Mark Large / Shutterstock.
An inquest jury has found that Giedrius Vasiljevas was lawfully killed by a Metropolitan Police firearms officer, who fatally shot Giedrius at his home in Dagenham on 23 November 2023.
Giedruius, a 40-year-old Lithuanian man, had a history of alcohol use and mental ill health, for which he had unsuccessfully been trying to get help from his GP and other support services.
Senior Coroner Graeme Irvine left the conclusion of unlawful killing open to the jury, which returned a conclusion of lawful killing last Friday (28 November), following a month-long inquest at East London Coroner’s Court. Giedrius was the only person fatally shot by the Metropolitan Police in 2023.
Sigita Vasiljeva, Giedrius’ wife, was represented by Garden Court North’s Christian Weaver during the inquest. Christian was led by Allison Munroe KC of Garden Court Chambers, instructed by Oliver Carter, Aimee Brackfield and Sarika Sandhu of Irwin Mitchell.
The events of 23 November 2023
At 7:59pm on 23 November 2023, Giedrius called the Metropolitan Police to explain that he had two loaded guns, a beretta and an air rifle, and wanted to shoot himself. Officers who spoke to Giedrius over the phone before attending his address recognised that he was distressed and intoxicated.
Giedrius told the police that the gun he had first described as a beretta was a ‘fake gun’, and the other gun was an air rifle. Officers accessed Giedrius’ camera phone using an app called GoodSam, which allowed them to see inside his house.
The officers viewing this footage then carried out an internet search identifying that the handgun matched a CO2 powered ball bearing gun. The Tactical Firearms Commander did not share this information with armed police officers on the ground.
At approximately 8:30pm, firearms officers began to set up a containment around Giedrius’ home.
Giedrius continued to engage with the police on the phone and complied with their instructions. He was told that if he left the weapons in the house, the officers would get him help and an ambulance was waiting for him outside.
At 8:55pm, Giedrius briefly appeared in the doorway before returning inside. Evidence heard during the inquest showed that nobody had explained to him that armed police would be outside expecting him to surrender himself.
Officers at the scene did not identify themselves as armed police. Evidence at the inquest also revealed that there was a delay in dispatching in a Specialist Negotiator to communicate with Giedrius to try and de-escalate the situation. Officers instead relied on two communications officers who had no specific training in negotiation skills.
At 8:56pm, Giedrius reappeared in the doorway. A Metropolitan Police firearms officer, referred to as ‘MY78’ during the inquest, shot at Giedrius twice with a carbine rifle, with the second shot striking Giedrius in the lower abdomen. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:30pm.
The gun in question was later confirmed to be an unloaded CO2-powered BB gun.
Following the jury’s conclusion of ‘lawful killing’, Senior Coroner Irvine raised significant concerns on the quality of evidence from several officers. He stated that the officers were at times curt, unhelpful and lacked meaningful reflection upon their actions. He also highlighted the major breakdown in communication, including the failure to announce to Giedrius that armed police were present.
Austeja, Giedrius’ daughter, described him as “a man full of love, humour, and kindness. He was generous, selfless, and always thinking of others before himself. His ability to make people feel loved, his light-hearted spirit, and his way of finding joy in everyday life are qualities I will always admire and carry with me.”
Garden Court North’s Christian Weaver represented Sigita Vasiljeva, Giedrius’ wife, during the inquest. Christian was led by Allison Munroe KC of Garden Court Chambers, instructed by Oliver Carter, Aimee Brackfield and Sarika Sandhu of Irwin Mitchell.
Additional media
The Standard – Met firearms officer lawfully killed a man who pointed a gun at police, inquest concludes
For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk
