A man wielding a chainsaw and wearing a gas mask and body armour has been seriously injured after being shot by armed police outside a village pub in Kent.
Kent Police said officers went to the scene in Hollingbourne, near Maidstone, on Monday evening to make an arrest for assault at around 7.15pm.
Armed officers were deployed when the suspect refused to leave his house.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said: "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 [rubber bullet] 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."
They added that a device found at the scene was made safe.
Pictures from the scene show the bomb squad also went to the Park Gate Inn, but it is understood to have been as a precaution.
Kent Police said it is supporting an independent investigation launched by the police watchdog.
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An IOPC spokesperson added that investigators have been sent to the scene to gather evidence, but the probe is in "the very early stages".
"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 7 July", they said.
"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."
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