Key Points
- An inquest jury concluded that Giedrius Vasiljevas was lawfully killed by a Metropolitan Police firearms officer.
- The fatal shooting occurred at Vasiljevas’ home in Dagenham on 23 November 2023.
- Giedrius, a 40-year-old Lithuanian man, had a history of alcohol use and mental ill health and had sought help without success.
- Senior Coroner Graeme Irvine left the possibility of unlawful killing open, but the jury returned a lawful killing verdict after a month-long inquest.
- Giedrius was the only person fatally shot by the Metropolitan Police in 2023.
- During the incident, Giedrius had alerted police about possessing two loaded guns and expressed intent to harm himself.
- Police used a camera phone app to view inside Giedrius’ home; the guns were later identified as an unloaded CO2-powered BB gun and a fake firearm.
- Officers failed to communicate effectively—neither identifying armed officers present nor dispatching trained negotiators promptly.
- The firearms officer, identified as ‘MY78’, fired two shots, one fatally striking Giedrius.
- Senior Coroner Irvine criticised officer behaviour during the inquest, citing a breakdown in communication and lack of meaningful reflection.
- Giedrius’ family described him as kind, generous, and full of love.
What was the inquest verdict on Giedrius Vasiljevas’ death?
The inquest jury, after hearing extensive evidence over the course of one month at East London Coroner’s Court, found that Giedrius Vasiljevas was lawfully killed by a Metropolitan Police firearms officer at his home in Dagenham on 23 November 2023. Senior Coroner Graeme Irvine had left open the possibility of unlawful killing for the jury to consider, but the decision submitted on 28 November 2025 was lawful killing. This verdict applies in the context that Giedrius was the only person fatally shot by the Metropolitan Police in that year.
Who was Giedrius Vasiljevas and what were his circumstances before the incident?
As reported by legal representatives from Garden Court North, Giedrius Vasiljevas was a 40-year-old Lithuanian man with documented struggles. His history included alcohol use and mental ill health issues for which he had actively tried to seek support from his GP and other services, but without success. His wife, Sigita Vasiljeva, was represented at the inquest by Christian Weaver, led by Allison Munroe KC, with the legal team instructed by Irwin Mitchell.
What happened on the evening of 23 November 2023 according to police records?
At 7:59pm on 23 November, Giedrius himself contacted the Metropolitan Police to report he was in possession of two loaded guns, a Beretta and an air rifle, and declared an intention to shoot himself. Officers speaking with him on the phone noted that he appeared distressed and intoxicated. Giedrius later clarified that the first gun was a ‘fake gun’ and the other was an air rifle. Officers remotely accessed his phone camera via the GoodSam app to view inside his house. They identified the handgun as a CO2-powered ball bearing gun after an internet search. However, critical information about the firearm’s non-lethality was not conveyed by the Tactical Firearms Commander to the armed officers on the ground.
How did police attempt to manage the situation on scene and what communication failures occurred?
By approximately 8:30pm, firearms officers began containing the scene around Giedrius’ home. He continued to comply with police instructions over the phone and was repeatedly told that if he left the weapons inside, help and an ambulance awaited him outside. Notably, evidence showed no indication was given to Giedrius that armed police were present outside expecting his surrender, and officers did not identify themselves as armed. Furthermore, there was a significant delay in deploying a Specialist Negotiator to manage communications. Instead, untrained communications officers conducted dialogue, worsening the situation and potentially missing opportunities for de-escalation.
What led to the fatal shooting, and what were the facts regarding the firearms involved?
At 8:56pm, Giedrius briefly appeared in the doorway. The Metropolitan Police firearms officer, designated as ‘MY78’ in the inquest, discharged two shots from a carbine rifle, the second striking Giedrius in the lower abdomen and leading to his death at the scene at 9:30pm. It was subsequently confirmed that the gun Giedrius held was an unloaded CO2-powered BB gun, reinforcing questions about the threat level perceived by officers.
What concerns did Senior Coroner Graeme Irvine raise following the jury’s verdict?
Coroner Irvine expressed significant concerns about the quality of evidence provided by several officers during the inquest, describing their testimonies as at times curt, unhelpful, and lacking honest reflection about their actions. He highlighted considerable communication failures including the crucial omission of notifying Giedrius about the presence of armed officers outside his home. These factors contributed to a major breakdown in how the incident was handled by the police.
How has Giedrius Vasiljevas’ family remembered him?
Giedrius’ daughter, Austeja, shared a heartfelt tribute describing her father as
“a man full of love, humour, and kindness. He was generous, selfless, and always thinking of others before himself.”
She praised his ability to make people feel loved, his light-hearted spirit, and his talent for finding joy in everyday life—traits she said she will always admire and carry forward.
