Plumber ‘dropped chainsaw on HIMSELF’ after being shot by cops who ‘feared he had bomb’ at pub – as he’s left in coma

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A MAN wielding a chainsaw was gunned down by cops while wielding a chainsaw before allegedly dropping the weapon on himself.

Plumber Sean O’Meara – also wearing a gas mask and body armour – is understood to be in a coma after facing off with armed officers outside his parents’ home in Hollingbourne, Kent, on Monday evening.

Facebook / Sean O’MearaSean O’Meara was gunned down by cops[/caption]

Facebook / Sean O’MearaThe 36-year-old is reported to have been wielding a chainsaw[/caption]

UKNIPBomb squad and terror cops were also at the scene[/caption]

Officers had been sent to the property on Ashford Road, opposite the Park Inn pub, to arrest the 36-year-old on suspicion of assault.

Initially, unarmed cops had attended the property, near Leeds Castle, at around 7.15pm in relation to an “outstanding warrant” but he refused to come out, the force said.

Body-worn camera footage reportedly shows O’Meara wielding a chainsaw and what was at first feared to be a homemade firearm or improvised explosive device.

A bomb squad and terror cops were at the scene, but Kent Police said the incident “was not related to any terrorism offences”.

O’Meara is understood to have suffered “life-changing injuries” after dropping the chainsaw on his arm, having been shot by an officer.

He is now reported to be in an induced coma at King’s College Hospital.

Watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched a probe into the shooting. 

Half-brother Liam O’Meara told The Telegraph he believes officers used unnecessary force and said O’Meara has “mental health problems”.

Liam, 44, added: “The police could have shot him in his leg. They could have Tasered him, couldn’t they?

“The bullet’s gone straight in and out, so it has not caused many problems.”

He fears his brother could now lose the use of his arm.

A 100-metre cordon was put in place outside the pub, which was forced to close, following the shooting at around 9pm.

Aerial footage showed armoured vehicles and police cars at the scene.

A spokesperson for the IOPC said: “We have been advised by Kent police that unarmed officers attended the house at around 7.15pm to arrest a man on suspicion of assault.

“He refused to come out of the house, so the officers were instructed to withdraw and armed officers were then deployed.

“We have seen officers’ body worn footage which shows the man, aged in his mid-30s, holding a chainsaw and another object in his hand, which, at the time, officers believed appeared to be a handmade firearm or IED (improvised explosive device).

“He was also wearing a gas mask and body armour. We can confirm a first baton round was fired by police and the man then took cover behind a hedge.

“Officers moved in and a police dog was deployed. The man ignored orders to put down the chainsaw and a second baton round was discharged and then, seconds later, he moved towards officers and was shot by an officer with a conventional firearm.

UKNIPpolice said the incident was not terror related, despite the response[/caption]

UKNIPPolice remained at the scene for several hours[/caption]

The cordon was outside the pub

“A detailed search of the scene continued today and among the weapons found at the scene were a chainsaw and a device which was made safe by the bomb squad (EOD).”

Kent Police said in a statement yesterday: “On Monday 7 July 2025, Kent Police officers attended a property in Ashford Road, Hollingbourne, near Maidstone to conduct an arrest for an outstanding warrant.

“This was not related to any terrorism offences. Following initial attendance, officers were further supported by additional units including firearms patrols.

“During the incident a man in his 30s was shot by officers and was subsequently taken to hospital where he remains.

“Officers remain at the scene and have been supported by an EOD team who made the area safe.

“As with all police shootings, a mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and Kent Police will assist the IOPC with its independent investigation as appropriate.”

An IOPC spokesman said: “The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the police shooting of a man wielding a chainsaw last night (7 July) which left him seriously injured.

“After being notified by Kent Police at around 10.30pm, we declared an independent investigation shortly afterwards.”

IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: “Police shootings are fortunately rare, however, given a man has been injured after being shot by police, our role is to independently investigate all of the circumstances surrounding this incident including the actions and decisions taken by the police.

“Based on analysis of evidence gathered to date, no police officer is under investigation for either misconduct or criminality – they are being treated as witnesses.

“We appreciate that the community will want answers quickly and our investigators are working hard to establish the facts and piece together what occurred.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected.”

Do you know more? Email [email protected]

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