Derby Police Shooting of Knife Attacker Ruled Reasonable and Proportionate

A man with a knife died after police shot him. Marius Ciolac, 35, had a knife outside a Derby police station. This happened on October 7, 2022. First, he tried to break into the station. Then, he attacked police cars.

Police used Tasers, a grenade, and a baton. These attempts were ineffective at stopping him. An officer shot him in the stomach. Later, he died in a Nottingham hospital. An inquest found the shooting was lawful.

The IOPC investigated the incident. They finished their review in April 2023. Their findings are now public after the inquest. They found the shooting was reasonable. The officer perceived a threat to life.

The IOPC found no officer committed a crime. No officer will face disciplinary action. Police officers were treated as witnesses. The IOPC shared findings with the police, family, and coroner.

Investigators went to the scene quickly. They reviewed over 50 police statements. They also considered 18 statements from the public. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue gave five statements. They checked the weapons. Radio transmissions also were reviewed.

Derrick Campbell directs the IOPC. He said their thoughts are with the family. Police shootings are rare and only for necessity. When they happen, a review must occur. It must be independent and thorough, he stated.

Ciolac ignored orders to drop the knife. Police first tried less lethal force. These methods did not work, though. The officer feared for his life. Ciolac ran at him with the knife, he claimed. CCTV and bodycam footage confirmed this.

The investigation determined the shooting was reasonable. Ciolac walked into the police compound. He broke glass with a knife. He tried to enter the police station. This attempt failed.

An officer Tasered Ciolac twice. The Taser was ineffective. His thick clothing blocked it. Ciolac damaged parked cars. Then, two firearms officers challenged him. One threw a stun grenade at him.

That officer then fired a baton round. But Ciolac kept walking forward. He then ran at an officer with the knife. The officer fired one shot at close range. It was less than three meters away.

Police used proportionate force after the shooting. They used more Taser and strikes. This made him drop the knife. Then, police gave first aid to Ciolac. Ambulance staff arrived and took over. Ciolac was pronounced dead at 11:25 am.