Richard Cottier died in April, aged 41, when he was shot by two Metropolitan Police officers in Romford, whilst experiencing mental ill health. His partner, Melissa Cottier, said:

 

On the 9th April 2018 my partner and the father of my three children, Richard Cottier, was fatally shot by Metropolitan police officers on Colliers Row Road, Romford. He had been suffering with depression.

 

I need to know why the police decided on that night to shoot and kill Richard? Could he have been disarmed or even tasered? This is all so senseless how a man suffering with mental health problems could be failed by the police who are meant to be there to protect vulnerable people. Richard was never a threat to anyone except himself.

 

Our lives have been destroyed beyond belief and we have so many questions that we need answered.

 

This weekend would have been Richard’s 42nd birthday. Instead of celebrating his birthday and Father’s Day like every other year we will be holding a private memorial on the beach to remember him.

 

Richard will always be missed by us all. He was a wonderful partner and father who did not deserve to be killed in this way. He still had his life ahead of him.

 

INQUEST has been supporting the family of Richard Cottier since his death. The family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group member Tolu Agbelusi of Birnberg Peirce ltd.

 

ENDS

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information or interview requests please contact Lucy McKay on 020 7263 1111 or here.

 

Media releases from the Independent Office for Police Conduct on their investigation into Richard’s death are available here.