Ryan Kelly Kills Jo Shaw After Forcing Entry Into Bristol Home With Explosive Device

Jo Shaw, 35, and her ex-partner Ryan Kelly, 41, died in a blast in Bristol after police said Kelly forced his way into a house in Sterncourt Road in Frenchay while in possession of an explosive device. Avon and Somerset Police said officers were called to a “domestic-related incident” at 6.17am on Sunday, and at around 6.30am the caller reported the intruder was believed to be in possession of an explosive device. The explosion occurred at about 06:32, and the first officers arrived at 06:34 before being joined by the fire and ambulance services. Superintendent Matt Ebbs said Shaw’s death had been officially recorded as a homicide based on the information known to police at the time, and police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with her death. The BBC reported that an army bomb disposal team and specialist police officers made extensive searches to ensure the area was safe.

Avon and Somerset Police said they referred themselves to the police watchdog, with the mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to previous police contact related to “other domestic incidents.” The Guardian said the force received a call from a person inside the house at 6.17am reporting a “domestic-related” incident, and that at about 6.30am the caller told police they thought the man had an explosive device on him. The Guardian also reported that police said they believed the explosion early on Sunday had been caused deliberately but stressed it was not thought to be linked to terrorism. Superintendent Matt Ebbs told the public that “there is not believed to be any risk to the wider public,” and he said police activity was likely to continue at the scene for several more days. The BBC added that the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related and that “Analysis work of the explosive device has not yet been completed.”

Police said three other people, including a child, were treated for minor injuries and did not need to stay in hospital, and the Telegraph said the blast injured three others including a child. The Guardian reported that officers worked with Bristol city council to evacuate people staying in neighbouring properties as a precaution and set up a temporary rest centre. The BBC said a police cordon was reduced on Sunday night and almost all residents were allowed to return home, while a search of an address in nearby Speedwell linked to Kelly did not require any evacuations of surrounding properties. The Telegraph reported that around 70 people were evacuated from nearby homes to an emergency rest centre in the Snuff Mill Harvester restaurant. Looking ahead, the BBC said it would ultimately be for a coroner to determine the cause of death, while the Guardian said police would share all details of their inquiries with the coroner so it could make a final determination.