Mark Saunders, 32, was killed at his Chelsea flat after the siege in 2008 Police marksmen surrounding a gun-wielding barrister in a siege in west London were carrying more than 100 guns, an inquest has heard.
A total of 59 highly-trained armed officers were posted around the 32-year-old’s home after he blasted a shotgun through his kitchen window.
But Westminster Coroner’s Court heard that senior officers were keen the area should not be “bristling” with guns.
Mark Saunders was killed at his Chelsea flat after the siege in 2008.
The officers were equipped with an arsenal including high velocity rifles, 9mm Glock self-loading pistols, MP5 carbines, shotguns, Tasers, baton rounds and CS gas.
In court, Nicholas Hilliard QC, for the coroner, asked: “If in this particular situation you can avoid the area bristling with firearms officers, is that something you try to do, if it can be done?”
Inspector Nicholas Bennett, of the Metropolitan Police’s CO19 unit replied: “I certainly would not have any more firearms officers there than I thought were necessary.”
Insp Bennett said Mr Saunders was “never less than high risk” and police were preparing for a long operation.
Asked if the large number of officers was a “surprise”, Insp Bennett said: “At that time we were planning for a protracted incident.
“Although it was apparent there were a great deal of firearms officers there, a great deal were not proactively employed in the operation, but are providing contingencies.”
Mr Saunders, a successful family law specialist, died after police bullets were fired at the end of a five-hour stand-off.
Armed with two shotguns and a large amount of ammunition, he threatened to kill himself and fired several rounds as police told him to give himself up.
The inquest continues.
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