A Slough man has been charged with possessing a firearm and a knife after a dramatic incident at the atria shopping centre in Watford. CCTV operators observed a man allegedly pulling out a gun and pointing it at another man, prompting a swift response from Hertfordshire Police.
The incident occurred on September 24, involving three men in the shopping centre. Reports indicate that two of the men, one of whom was believed to be armed with a gun, pointed the weapon at the third man, who quickly fled the scene.
The victim, a man in his 20s, managed to escape and flagged down police officers as they arrived. He was subsequently taken to a place of safety. After reviewing CCTV footage, officers tracked down a suspect in the Sainsbury’s car park on Albert Road South. They arrested him on suspicion of possession of a firearm and located a gun discarded under a vehicle.
Mohammed Al-Saadi, 23, of Eltham Avenue, Slough, has been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence and possession of a knife/bladed article. Al-Saadi appeared at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court on September 26, where he was remanded into custody. He is scheduled to appear at St Albans Crown Court on October 24.
The swift response by the police ensured that the situation was brought under control, with the victim being protected from further harm. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and police are continuing their efforts to understand the full circumstances of what transpired.
