Police officer could face murder charge

A police firearms officer was warned last night he could face a murder charge for shooting an unarmed man in a village car park.

The Greater Manchester Police officer was interviewed under criminal caution by the police watchdog yesterday over the death of Anthony Paul Grainger.

The 36-year-old, from Bolton, died of a single gunshot wound to the chest after the car he was in was stopped in Culcheth, Cheshire, last month.

An Independent Police Complaints Commission statement said: "The officer has been interviewed on suspicion he may have committed a criminal offence.

"The IPCC remains in close liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service and at this stage a range of potential offences are under consideration, including unlawful act manslaughter and murder."

Mr Grainger, who worked as an odd job man, died in what police described as a "pre-planned operation".

The IPCC said no weapons were found in the vehicle, which had been stolen and had false registration plates.

The watchdog told Mr Grainger's family last week the shooting was being investigated as a criminal matter.