A man forced entry into a house in Bristol minutes before a deadly explosion that killed two people, police have revealed. Avon and Somerset Police said a caller inside the property reported the forced entry at 6.17am on Sunday, triggering a rapid emergency response that ended in tragedy.
Forced Entry and Timeline of Events
Officers received a 999 call from a person inside a home on Sterncourt Road, Frenchay, at 6.17am. The caller said a man known to them had forced his way into the property. Several double-crewed units were immediately dispatched, and the caller remained on the line with the police control room.
At approximately 6.30am, the caller told officers that the man was believed to be in possession of an explosive device. Moments later, at around 6.32am, an explosion tore through the house. The first police officers arrived at the scene at 6.34am, closely followed by fire and ambulance crews.
The blast killed Jo Shaw, 35, and her former partner Ryan Kelly, 41. Three other people, including a child, suffered minor injuries. They were treated at the scene and did not require hospital admission.
The Explosion and Immediate Aftermath
Neighbours reported hearing shouting, including cries of “get out, get out,” before the explosion. One neighbour, Stuart Blanchard, said Jo Shaw’s parents owned the house and that she had moved there to escape Ryan Kelly. Another friend told officers they saw police giving Shaw CPR, but emergency teams were forced to withdraw when the explosives team arrived due to the risk of further blasts.
The explosion caused a significant emergency response. The Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team conducted extensive searches to ensure the area was safe. Residents of neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution, with some leaving so quickly they were still in their pyjamas and had to borrow clothes. A temporary rest centre was set up at the Snuff Mill Harvester pub, and Bristol City Council helped co-ordinate the evacuation and support for displaced residents.
The cordon around the scene was reduced on Sunday evening, allowing nearly all residents to return home. There was no significant damage to neighbouring properties, police said. A smaller cordon remained in place around the explosion site for the ongoing investigation.
Police Investigation and Referral
Superintendent Matt Ebbs confirmed that Jo Shaw’s death has been officially recorded as a homicide based on the information known at this time. He stressed that police are not looking for anyone else in connection with her death and that the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related. “We believe the cause of the explosion to be deliberate,” he said. “Analysis work of the explosive device has not yet been completed.”
Police activity continues at the Sterncourt Road property and is expected to take several days. A search was also carried out at an address in Speedwell linked to Mr Kelly, which concluded over the bank holiday weekend; no evacuations were required at that location.
A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to previously reported domestic-related incidents involving the deceased. Neighbourhood policing teams remain in the area to offer reassurance and advice to the community.
It emerged that Mr Kelly was a convicted drug gang member, jailed for five years in 2015 for conspiracy to supply cocaine as part of a “Breaking Bad-style” operation. Neighbours described Jo Shaw as coming from a “lovely family” and being an “amazing friend.” Unconfirmed reports suggested the explosive device may have been a hand grenade, though police have not confirmed this.
Supt Ebbs added that all details of the police inquiries will be shared with the coroner, who will make a final determination on how the deaths occurred. “This remains a challenging and complex enquiry,” he said, thanking emergency services, other agencies and volunteers for their support over the weekend.
