Man 'killed himself' after being shot with Taser gun

A man who died after being shot by police with a stun gun had fatally injured himself, detectives said last night. Armed officers were called to an incident in the Goldington area of Bedford at 7pm on Saturday after reports of a dispute between a mother and a son, Bedfordshire Police said. Officers used the Taser gun after the knife-wielding man, who was in his thirties, threatened police outside a terraced house.

The injured man retreated inside the house where he was discovered a short while later with "self-inflicted injuries", a force spokeswoman said. The injuries from the Taser gun were "minimal", she added.

He was taken to Bedford Hospital where he died. A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out today, and the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Police cordoned off the house and the property next door while an officer stood guard. Flowers were laid outside the scene.

Neighbours said they thought the mother lived in the house alone and had more than one son. Amanda Luddington, 42, who lives opposite, said: "She is a very lovely woman. Every time I go into the shop she's always there and says hello. As far as I know, she lives there on her own. I do not know her son. I am surprised at what has happened."