WATCHDOGS have launched an inquiry into a police shooting linked to the alleged murder of a 19-year-old man in Southampton.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has begun an investigation following an incident in Chelsea on Sunday - the day a fatal stabbing took place in Langhorn Road, Swaythling.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Hampshire police were called to reports of a "serious assault" at around 12.20pm.

Read more: Community left in shock after man dies in stabbing

An IPOC spokesman said: "A car believed to be connected to the incident was identified by police and travelled into the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) area.

"It was stopped by armed response vehicles at the junction of King’s Road and Beaufort Street, SW3 at around 9pm.

"We have established that during the incident a single shot was discharged from a police firearm, causing a hand injury to one of the men in the car.

"His injury is not believed to be life-threatening and he remains in hospital. The other three men in the vehicle were arrested at the scene.

"Following a mandatory referral from the MPS, we sent investigators to the scene and to the post incident procedure.

"As part of our independent investigation we will be reviewing police radio communication, body worn video footage and the initial accounts provided by the officers involved, who are all currently being treated as witnesses."

Read more: Murder probe launched after man stabbed in Southampton street

IOPC regional director Graham Beesley said: “The discharge of firearms by police officers is relatively rare but where potentially lethal force has been used, it is important that we carry out an independent investigation into the circumstances.”

Five men have been arrested on suspicion of murder; a 46 year-old man from Bursledon, a 20 year-old man from Bursledon, a 20 year-old man from Hamble, a 23 year-old man from Eastleigh and a 35 year-old man from Lambeth.

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