The barrister shot dead by police this week was hit in the head, heart, liver and lower body, an inquest was told yesterday. Mark Saunders, 32, exchanged fire with officers three times on Tuesday night before he was killed at his flat in Chelsea, West London.

Lynda Morris, a coroner’s officer at Westminster Coroner’s Court, gave the cause of death as “multiple gunshot wounds” from several marksmen.

Ms Morris said there was evidence that “more than one type of bullet” had hit him but none of his wounds had been caused by a shotgun, the weapon that he was firing at police.

“The multiple gunshot wounds present are associated with severe internal damage to the brain, the heart, the liver and the main vein of the lower body,” she said. The wounds were consistent with at least five shots having hit Mr Saunders.

“The nature of the wound and the projectile material recovered from the body suggests that more than one type of bullet has hit the deceased and further information will become available on this point,” she said.

Ms Morris was reading from a preliminary report prepared by Nathaniel Carey, the pathologist who examined Mr Saunders’s body.

Elizabeth Clarke, his widow, identified his body at Westminster Public Mortuary yesterday.

Paul Craig, the investigating officer for the Independent Police Complaints Commission, told the inquest that a fuller report could take up to six months to prepare.

“During the late afternoon and evening of last Tuesday, May 6, an incident occurred in the area of 46 Markham Square, London, SW3,” he said. “This resulted in the fatal shooting of Mr Mark Saunders. It would appear that there were three separate exchanges of gunfire between Mr Saunders and various police officers who were at the scene.

“The incident concluded following the last of these exchanges when an intervention was made to the property by police officers and Mr Saunders was found to be seriously injured.”

He confirmed that the barrister was taken from the house and given medical attention on the pavement but died “despite the best efforts of all those concerned”.

Mr Craig told the inquest that several lines of inquiry were still being pursued by independent investigators. He said that these included scientific examination of various scenes, searches, house-to-house inquiries and interviews with witnesses.

Stuart Osborne, of the Metropolitan Police directorate of professional standards, told the inquest that his officers were at the scene during the siege and took over when Mr Saunders died.

“The death of any individual is regrettable. In such circumstances as these it makes it even more traumatic for those involved,” he said.

Paul Knapman, the Coroner, adjourned the inquest until September 9.

Ms Clarke said on Thursday that she and her husband had had a “strong union” and were “deeply committed to each other”.

Mr Saunders’s parents and sisters issued a statement last night: “Everyone who knew and loved Mark appreciated his warmth, generosity and sheer energy for life,” they said. “He was a very talented and sociable person whose enthusiasm and charm touched so many people. We will always remember him as our caring, considerate and loving son and brother.

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