Man and ex-partner killed in Bristol blast after he forced entry into house | Bristol
A man broke into a house in Bristol with an “explosive device” moments before the explosion that killed his ex-partner and himself.
Police stated that they are treating the death of the woman, believed to be 35-year-old Jo Shaw, as murder and that the dead man is her ex-partner Ryan Kelly (41).
They emphasized that they believed the explosion in the early hours of Sunday was intentional but was not thought to be linked to terrorism.
Avon and Somerset police said they received a call at 6.17am on Sunday from another person inside the house reporting a “family related” incident.
The caller at around 6:30 a.m. told police he thought the man had explosives on him. Two minutes later the explosion occurred.
The force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after other local incidents were reported before Sunday.
Three more people, including the person who called the police, were treated for minor injuries and did not require hospitalization.
Supt Matt Ebbs said: “We know people will be shocked and upset to learn of the horrific events that took place on Sunday morning.
“Jo’s death has been officially recorded as a homicide based on the information we know at this time. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with her death.”
“We know everyone’s thoughts and sympathies will be with his devastated family. Specially trained officers are providing them with up-to-date information and support.”
Police said the person who called them said that the man who broke in knew them. The caller remained on the line while police were dispatched to the home in Sterncourt Road, Speedwell.
The first police officers arrived on the scene two minutes after the explosion, and were soon joined by firefighters and ambulance crews.
Police said: “We can confirm that a mandatory referral will be made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) by our professional standards department.
“This is based on previous deaths following police contact, particularly other domestic incidents that were reported to us before Sunday.”
Officers worked with Bristol city council to evacuate people staying in neighboring properties and set up a temporary recreation center as a precaution.
Searches were carried out by the army’s explosive ordnance disposal team and specialist police officers to ensure the area was safe before the cordon was eased on Sunday night and almost all residents were allowed to return to their homes.
A search for an address linked to Kelly in Speedwell ended over the bank holiday weekend. There was no need to evacuate there.
Ebbs added: “Police activity is ongoing at the property on Sterncourt Road and we anticipate this will take a number of days to complete.
“We would like to reassure the public that there is not believed to be a wider risk to security and this is not being treated as terrorism-related.
“As we stated before, we think the explosion was intentional. Analysis of the explosive material has not been completed yet.
“We will share full details of our investigations with the coroner so they can make a final determination as to how the deaths occurred in due course.”
