Armed officer 'scared' by gunman shot dead in Fernhurst
- Published
Armed police were called to the home of Mervyn Tussler on 8 May 2009
A police marksman has told an inquest he was "stunned, shocked and scared" when a gunman opened fire at at a retirement complex in West Sussex.
The officer was part of a firearms team called to the home of Mervyn Tussler, 64, in Fernhurst on 8 May 2009.
He told the inquest Mr Tussler was lying on his bed, but suddenly turned and shot at the officers.
He said he returned fire along with a colleague and Mr Tussler was fatally shot in the chest.
Bullet in vest
The incident happened following a siege in a block of retirement flats in Ash Grove, just off The Leys.
The officer, who was giving evidence anonymously at the inquest in Worthing, said he was "stunned, shocked and scared" when Mr Tussler fired.
He said he believed Mr Tussler was trying to kill him.
A bullet believed to have been fired from Mr Tussler's gun was later found in the marksman's protective vest.
A post-mortem examination found Mr Tussler had a single gunshot wound to his torso.
The inquest continues.