A man shot and seriously injured by armed police outside a rural village pub was wielding a chainsaw and holding what officers believed was a homemade bomb, a watchdog has said.
Cops in protective clothing and bomb squad officers flocked to the area outside the Park Gate Inn in Hollingbourne, Kent last night.
The man, described as being ‘in his 30s’, was initially visited by unarmed police at a property opposite the pub due to an ‘outstanding warrant’ against him but refused to come out.
Armed officers were then deployed and reportedly found the man wearing a gas mask and body armour, holding a chainsaw and another object police suspected was a handmade firearm or improvised explosive device (IED).
The man then ignored two warning baton rounds and refused to put down the chainsaw, at which point he was shot by an armed officer with a conventional firearm.
He was left with injuries described as ‘not believed to be life-threatening but [that] may be life-changing’, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.
The police watchdog said the man was given first aid at the scene and taken to hospital with wounds to his arm and abdomen.
Despite the presence of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, complete with a remote-controlled robot, Kent Police said that the case ‘was not related to any terrorism offences.’
Armed police swarmed the area around a village pub in Kent last night – in an operation which saw a man being shot by cops
Officers from the bomb squad were also called in to deal with the incident outside the Park Gate Inn in Hollingbourne
Pictured is a member of the military bomb squad unit called in to the incident last night
Kent Police confirmed that officers attended a property on Ashford Road across the road from the Park Gate Inn pub.
‘We have been advised by Kent police that unarmed officers attended the house at around 7.15pm to arrest a man on suspicion of assault,’ the IOPC said.
‘He refused to come out of the house, so the officers were instructed to withdraw and armed officers were then deployed.
‘We have seen officers’ body worn footage which shows the man, aged in his mid-30s, holding a chainsaw and another object in his hand, which, at the time, officers believed appeared to be a handmade firearm or IED (improvised explosive device).
‘He was also wearing a gas mask and body armour. We can confirm a first baton round was fired by police and the man then took cover behind a hedge.
‘Officers moved in and a police dog was deployed. The man ignored orders to put down the chainsaw and a second baton round was discharged and then, seconds later, he moved towards officers and was shot by an officer with a conventional firearm.
‘A detailed search of the scene continued today and among the weapons found at the scene were a chainsaw and a device which was made safe by the bomb squad (EOD).’
A 100-metre cordon was put in place around the boozer following the incident, which began shortly after 7pm on July 7. The shooting took place just before 9pm.
Protective clothing as well as a robot used by the bomb squad was also seen outside the pub
Trauma kits and emergency first aid bags were still open outside the pub this morning having appeared to have been used
Dramatic aerial footage captured armoured vehicles parked up outside the property securing the area.
One witness, who wished to remain anonymous, reportedly described seeing ‘armed officers shouting commands before a loud bang’.
In a brief statement released by Kent Police this afternoon, they said cops had been carrying out an arrest when an armed officer opened fire.
Kent Police said: ‘On Monday 7 July 2025, Kent Police officers attended a property in Ashford Road, Hollingbourne, near Maidstone to conduct an arrest for an outstanding warrant.
‘This was not related to any terrorism offences.
‘Following initial attendance, officers were further supported by additional units including firearms patrols.
‘During the incident a man in his 30s was shot by officers and was subsequently taken to hospital where he remains.
‘Officers remain at the scene and have been supported by an EOD team who made the area safe.
‘As with all police shootings, a mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and Kent Police will assist the IOPC with its independent investigation as appropriate.’
The IOPC is the independent police watchdog to which regional police forces must refer the most serious incidents – regardless of whether or not there is an official complaint has been filed.
A general view of the Park Gate Inn (top left of pic) in Hollingbourne, near Maidstone, Kent
An IOPC spokesman added: ‘We have begun an independent investigation after a man was shot and seriously injured by Kent Police, who were responding to an incident on Monday July 7.
‘We were notified by the force after the incident in Hollingbourne, which occurred shortly before 9pm, and declared an independent investigation a short time later.
‘The man is receiving treatment in hospital for his injuries which are thought to be life changing.
‘We have sent investigators to the scene and the police post incident procedure to begin gathering evidence.’
Trauma kits and emergency first aid bags were still open outside the pub this morning having appeared to have been used. A police riot shield was also resting on a fence.
Forensic officers carrying black bags were also reportedly seen this morning.
Locals are being urged to stay away from the scene.
The A20 Ashford Road was closed in both directions, with officers seen guarding the cordon on Tuesday morning.
Eddie Powell, chairman of Harrietsham Parish Council, said locals has been stunned by the incident which was ‘completely out of character’ for the village.
‘We heard police cars racing along last night and thought it must be an accident, as that happens quite a lot,’ he told KentOnline. ‘But then in the early hours we heard the bomb squad were called to a property near the pub .
‘This is completely out of character for around here. It’s the sort of thing you’d expect to happen in Oxford Street or Pall Mall.’
Other locals said they had been left horrified by the police shooting – which they did not hear.
Jamie Shiels, 52, who has lived in his cottage for four years, said: ‘We didn’t hear anything which is unusual because it is so quiet here that we normally would hear something like that.
‘We haven’t been told anything by police. We were so shocked this morning. It is very unusual.
Police surrounded the Park Gate Inn in Hollingbourne, Kent last night, after armed cops reportedly shot a man
‘We lived in London all our lives before coming here so we are more used to these things. But you definitely don’t expect to hear it down here.’
Debby Bamforth, 51, who has lived in her home for 18 years says she has never had any problems before.
She added: ‘My husband told me the road was closed off this morning and that was the first I heard of it.
‘I was very shocked. You would never expect that here.
‘Nothing like this has ever happened before. It is a sleepy village. You feel safe and you can leave your doors unlocked.’
Couple Martin and Sandra Paterson-Foad say the only problem in their quiet village is the traffic – which was worsened by today’s road closures.
Sandra, 71, said: ‘We had no idea what happened until we asked the neighbours. I was very surprised. It is so shocking.
‘The traffic has been a nightmare. We are a little village with narrow roads.
‘It is not the quiet little place it was when we moved here.’
Hollingbourne is a small village with a population of around 900 people, according to the last census.
It is located about five miles east of Maidstone and is off the M20, one of the main highway leading through Kent.
In a statement, the Park Gate Inn said: ‘Due to a police incident that took place late last night in the houses opposite the pub, we are currently closed while the authorities complete their work in the area.
‘We want to reassure everyone that nothing happened in the pub itself – all our team are safe and well. We’re simply following guidance to ensure everyone’s safety.
‘We’ll keep you updated and hope to reopen as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding and support.’
The boozer is described as a ‘dog-friendly’ country pub.
It is named after the gate that once led into Leeds Castle Park in the mid nineteenth century.
Leeds Castle has been home to royalty, lords and ladies for over a thousand years.
Park Gate was a small hamlet at that time and was served by the inn that has a 16th century building at its core.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said explosives experts from 11 EOD&S Regiment, 621 Squadron, had been called to the scene.
An MoD spokesman added: ‘We can confirm an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was called out to a possible item of concern in the Hollingbourne area of Kent.
‘Due to the ongoing investigation, we cannot confirm the nature of the item. All further queries should be directed to the Police.’
This is a breaking story, more information to follow
