A plumber who was shot and seriously injured by armed police while wielding a chainsaw outside a rural pub has been pictured for the first time.
Sean O’Meara is understood to be in a coma after facing off with armed officers who were attempting to arrest him on suspicion of assault outside his parents home in Hollingbourne, near Maidstone, Kent on Monday.
The 36-year-old was initially visited by unarmed police at a property opposite the Park Inn pub at approximately 7.15pm due to an ‘outstanding warrant’ against him – but refused to come out.
O’Meara was seen holding a chainsaw and wearing a gas mask, with armed officers reportedly finding him donning body armour, as well as a suspected handmade firearm or improvised explosive device (IED).
Despite the presence of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, complete with a remote-controlled robot, Kent Police said the case ‘was not related to any terrorism offences’.
O’Meara is now thought to have suffered ‘life-changing injuries’ after the chainsaw dropped onto his arm after being shot by an armed officer with a conventional firearm, according to his half-brother Liam.
Previously, it was reported that O’Meara ignored two warning baton rounds and refused to put down the chainsaw before being shot. He is now understood to be in an induced coma at King’s College Hospital.
Police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), has since launched a probe into the shooting on Monday evening.
Plumber Sean O’Meara, who was shot and seriously injured by armed police outside a rural pub in Kent, is understood to now be in an induced coma
Armed police swarmed the area around a village pub in Kent Monday night – in an operation which saw a man being shot by cops as he wielded a chainsaw
O’Meara’s half brother, Liam has since spoken out, saying his brother has ‘mental health problems’, whilst adding that he believes police used unreasonable force.
The 44-year-old said officers could have instead shot his sibling in the leg or tasered him.
Revealing the worst of O’Meara’s injuries were caused by the chainsaw rather than the gunshot, he told The Telegraph: ‘When he was shot, most of the damage was when he dropped the chainsaw and it fell on him.
‘The bullet’s gone straight in and out so it hasn’t caused many problems.’
He believes his brother now could possibly lose the ability to use his arm.
Kent Police previously 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.
According to his half brother, Liam, O’Meara’s main injuries were caused by the dropping of the chainsaw, as he believes his brother may lose use of his arm
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 to the incident on Monday night
‘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, with the shooting taking place just before 9pm.
Dramatic aerial footage captured armoured vehicles parked up outside the property securing the area.
In a brief statement released by Kent Police yesterday afternoon 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.
Protective clothing as well as a robot used by the bomb squad were also seen outside the pub
Trauma kits and emergency first aid bags were still open outside the pub yesterday morning having appeared to have been used
Police officers stand outside a property opposite the Park Gate Inn in Hollingbourne, Kent
‘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, including shootings, regardless of whether or not an official complaint has been filed.
An IOPC spokesman said: ‘The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the police shooting of a man wielding a chainsaw last night (7 July) which left him seriously injured.
‘After being notified by Kent Police at around 10.30pm, we declared an independent investigation shortly afterwards.’
A general view of the Park Gate Inn (top left of pic) in Hollingbourne, near Maidstone, Kent
Two police vans parked close to the spot where a man was shot by armed police after wielding a chainsaw
Police surrounded the Park Gate Inn in Hollingbourne, Kent last night, after armed cops shot a man
IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: ‘Police shootings are fortunately rare, however, given a man has been injured after being shot by police, our role is to independently investigate all of the circumstances surrounding this incident including the actions and decisions taken by the police.
‘Based on analysis of evidence gathered to date, no police officer is under investigation for either misconduct or criminality – they are being treated as witnesses.
‘We appreciate that the community will want answers quickly and our investigators are working hard to establish the facts and piece together what occurred.
‘Our thoughts are with everyone affected.’
Trauma kits and emergency first aid bags were still open outside the pub on Tuesday having appeared to have been used, as well as a police riot shield spotted still resting on a fence.
Forensic officers carrying black bags were also reportedly seen yesterday morning, as locals were urged to avoid the scene.
The A20 Ashford Road was closed in both directions, with officers seen guarding the cordon.
MailOnline has approached the IOPC and Kent Police for further comment.
