A West Midlands police officer has shared the devastating experience of Tasing a suspected knifeman who tragically fell from a third-floor window and later died in hospital. Pc Ryan Trowsdale testified at the inquest into the death of 34-year-old Ayuub Abdi during the third day of hearings at Birmingham Coroner’s Court.
Mr. Abdi, described by loved ones as a “family man,” died from severe injuries sustained after falling from a third-floor bedroom window at a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) on Lansdowne Road, Handsworth, on September 6, 2023.
Pc Trowsdale revealed he was in “shock” and “disbelief” when he witnessed Mr. Abdi’s fall, describing the moment as if his “whole world was crashing around me.” The officer, who has served with West Midlands Police for seven years, said his chest felt like it “dropped” on seeing the incident unfold.
READ MORE: Larry Summers Steps Back from Harvard Teaching Amid Epstein Investigation
READ MORE: UK Households Could Slash £630 from Energy Bills by Ditching Phantom Power
The incident began as a high-risk call to the property, where Mr. Abdi was reported to be armed with a knife and had already attacked two housemates. Authorities were alerted that he had bitten and tried to stab others, and had made threatening remarks, claiming to be a “prophet” and threatening to kill police.
On arrival, Pc Trowsdale inspected the injured housemates and prepared to use his Taser, warning a colleague he might have to “light up” the suspect. He described the violence they faced, noting one housemate was fortunate that a knife only grazed the neck.
Together with two other officers, Pc Trowsdale approached the third-floor bedroom where Mr. Abdi was found sitting in the dark on a sofa inside an unlocked room. The officer feared Mr. Abdi might barricade himself or attempt to escape via the roof. Inside the cluttered room—with empty alcohol bottles and rubbish—Pc Trowsdale found the suspect appearing agitated and speaking oddly, saying “prophet is mad” and “this is serious,” without answering police questions.
Mr. Abdi was initially unresponsive to questions about whether he had a weapon, but suddenly stood up, prompting Pc Trowsdale to step back as he perceived a potential threat. Feeling vulnerable and fearing for his life, the officer believed Mr. Abdi was gripping something tightly in his pocket. Attempts to get him to show his hands were panicked and cut short by his own adrenaline.
With the suspect stepping backward and the confined space closing in, Pc Trowsdale deployed his Taser, considering it the only option. In response, Mr. Abdi fell from the open window three floors down.
The officer described his reaction as complete shock and disbelief. He immediately notified his superior and allowed paramedics to attend to Mr. Abdi.
Tragically, Mr. Abdi died the following day. An Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation cleared Pc Trowsdale of wrongdoing.
The inquest is ongoing, offering a detailed and heartrending glimpse into an incident that profoundly affected all involved.