The scene of the incident in Sieradz, Monday morning. Photo: PAP/Grzegorz Michałowski

A retired police officer who was about to serve a prison sentence for abusing his wife shot his wife this morning, then turning the gun on himself.

Police were called to an apartment block in the town of Sieradz, central Poland, after neighbours complained of a disturbance.

However, on arriving at the address, law enforcement officers heard a shot.

The assailant attempted to break down the door, and began firing in the direction of the police, who called for anti-terrorist enforcements to back them up.

However, before the back-up arrived, the man had turned the gun on himself.

The 77-year-old perpetrator had already had several encounters with the law courts on account of cruelty to his wife. He was due to return to prison for a six month sentence.

A retired police officer, he carried out the crime with a P-64 pistol, an illegally held firearm. (nh/jb)

Source: IAR