Guildford Cathedral police shooting victim named » Communities » 24dash.com

The man shot dead by police outside a cathedral was named by sources today.

David Sycamore, 39, of Southway, Guildford, Surrey, was fatally wounded by armed police outside Guildford Cathedral yesterday afternoon.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has launched an inquiry into his killing.

This morning, friends and family gathered at Mr Sycamore's home, about two miles from the scene of the shooting.

Residents in Southway said they were shocked to hear what had happened.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she heard the police helicopter hovering over her home.

She added: "You don't expect this sort of thing to happen round here, not on your doorstep. Nothing much happens in this area really.

"It's a shock to know the guy was shot just literally round the corner. And it's even worse when you find out he lived a few doors away.

"I can't imagine what those people must be going through."

Another neighbour, Louise Kegg, 20, who lived next door to Mr Sycamore but had never met her neighbour, said: "I'm really surprised. I don't think I have ever seen them. I'm really shocked."

Officers were called to reports of an armed man in the area yesterday afternoon, and the man was shot dead at around 3pm.

The grounds of Guildford Cathedral - which was used in the filming of the 1976 classic horror film The Omen - have been sealed off, with police tape tied around mature trees.

Police are now guarding the scene.

The cathedral remains closed while the IPCC carries out its investigation.

Rebecca Marsh, from the IPCC, said: "My condolences to the dead man's family and friends.

"I would like to reassure the man's family, the public and the police officers that the IPCC investigation will be thorough, proportionate and timely."

Yesterday, a woman connected to the church said the incident took place within the cathedral's grounds.

Guildford Diocese said the incident did not involve cathedral staff.

A statement read: "An incident occurred at Guildford Cathedral on Sunday afternoon in which a man was shot by police.

"We can confirm that cathedral personnel were not involved or hurt and, while this was something that happened on cathedral premises, it was not in any way connected with the community there.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those caught up in any way in this tragedy, as well as with those living in the Cathedral Close and the adjoining estate."

Sunday services were affected and the Advent Carol Service will be held next Sunday.

Mr Sycamore was shot by Surrey Police on the cathedral steps, the IPCC confirmed.

Paramedics were called and administered CPR but Mr Sycamore - who had earlier been reported carrying a gun - died at the scene.

A weapon was recovered later.

Four independent investigators went to the cathedral yesterday afternoon to begin inquiries.

They are now examining footage from the police helicopter.

Today, friends and family arriving at Mr Sycamore's home - a semi-detached house in a leafy, residential street - were too upset to talk.

IPCC Commissioner for the South East Mike Franklin said: "This is a terrible situation and my thoughts are with this man's family today.

"But I also think it is important to point out how difficult these situations are for everyone involved.

"It is in everybody's interest for us to find out exactly what happened as quickly as possible and I would therefore ask anybody who was in the grounds of Guilford Cathedral at around 3pm yesterday to contact us."

A post-mortem examination will take place this afternoon at a hospital in Surrey.

Formal identification is expected to take place later today.

The cathedral will be reopening tomorrow, when services will resume as normal.