Derry man killed by police died of single gunshot wound to chest

Police at the scene of Saturday's shooting in Derry (Jeffrey Hastings photo)

DERRY - A Derry resident fatally shot by police on Saturday died of a single gunshot wound to the chest, the state Medical Examiner's Office concluded on Sunday.

The incident unfolded around 2:15 p.m. with Derry Police responding to a 911 call for an individual with a shotgun approaching 1 Driftwood Road and firing at a resident.

Police converged in the area of Olde Coach Road and the Route 28 Bypass where a resident of 5 Driftwood Road, Christopher Coppola, 43, was fatally shot, police say. Initial information indicated three officers discharged weapons during the incident, according to an earlier press release.

No law enforcement officers or other private citizens were physically injured during the shooting incident, including the initial resident who was fired at, according to safety officials.

Pursuant to protocol, police will not name the officers involved in the incident pending the conclusion of a formal interview. The initial responding officers did not have body cameras. Investigators will be reviewing whether cruiser cameras video or audio recorded any portion of the incident.