Sgt Matiu Ratana, who was killed in the line of duty at a police custody centre, died from a gunshot wound to the chest, an inquest has heard. The Metropolitan police officer was shot in the early hours of Friday 25 September as he prepared to search a suspect who was handcuffed. The 23-year-old suspect was not named during the 10-minute opening hearing at Croydon coroner’s court, but sources have named him as Louis de Zoysa. He was also injured and remains critically ill in hospital. DS Nick Blackburn said the weapon was discharged several times. A revolver was later recovered from the scene. Blackburn told the inquest the suspect had first been detained by police in Pollards Hill in south London at 1.30am. The suspect had been handcuffed and taken into custody on suspicion of the possession of ammunition and a class B drug. Blackburn said: “Upon arrival [at Croydon custody centre], the suspect was taken to a holding room, where he remained in handcuffs. The custody sergeant, Matt Ratana, entered the holding room. “The suspect discharged the weapon several times, during which the sergeant and the suspect were injured.” The inquest heard that Ratana, originally from New Zealand, was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting but was pronounced dead at 4.20am. Blackburn said the preliminary cause of death given following the postmortem examination was a gunshot wound to the chest. He said the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, was investigating. Blackburn told the inquest: “This matter has deeply shocked and saddened all of us at the Met. But rest assured, the Met will conduct a thorough investigation.” No members of Ratana’s family, including his partner, Su Bushby, were present for the hearing, although Ratana’s son in Australia was among those listening remotely. Sarah Ormond-Walshe, senior coroner for south London, adjourned the hearing until a further date. The opening of the inquest followed a tribute by New Zealand’s high commissioner to the UK at Croydon custody centre on Thursday morning. Bede Corry joined the Metropolitan police commissioner, Cressida Dick, to pay his respects, laying a wreath in front of a memorial bedecked with scores of floral bouquets and surrounded by New Zealand flags and sports jerseys. Corry said: “New Zealanders were shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic death of Sgt Matiu Ratana. We came today, to the place where he died, to share our grief and convey our condolences to the Metropolitan Police Service and, through them, to Matiu’s family. “As someone who was a police officer in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, he uniquely served both countries. We know he will be deeply missed. “The high commission will continue to support the Metropolitan Police Service as they assist Matiu’s family.”