In a tragic incident that unfolded in Rotherhithe, South-East London, a man wielding a crossbow and wearing a gas mask was shot dead by armed police after breaking into a house. The deceased, identified as Bryce Hodgson, 30, had a history of stalking and was under a court restraining order at the time of the confrontation.
The incident occurred just before 5 a.m. on Tuesday in Bywater Place, Rotherhithe. Hodgson, who had been banned from entering the area, forcefully entered a property where a woman he had previously targeted lived. He threatened residents while brandishing a sword, hatchet, and knife, all while wearing body armour.
Unarmed officers initially attempted to engage with Hodgson, but the situation escalated quickly. When police marksmen arrived at the scene, they were forced to open fire, fatally shooting him. Despite receiving first aid, Hodgson succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The aftermath of the incident left Hodgson’s gas mask, body armour, crossbow bolts, and military boots strewn across the quiet cul-de-sac, serving as a stark reminder of the harrowing events that transpired.
Two individuals suffered minor injuries during the confrontation but are expected to recover.
Hodgson’s troubling history included a previous conviction for stalking a 31-year-old woman. In July of the preceding year, he was sentenced to a 16-week suspended prison sentence at Croydon Magistrates’ Court. Hodgson had pleaded guilty to causing serious alarm and distress to the woman by entering her bedroom without consent, sending demanding text messages, and describing explicit sexual fantasies between January 1 and April 29 of that year.
The court had noted Hodgson’s “previous good character” but imposed a five-year restraining order, effective until July 2028, prohibiting him from contacting the victim or entering her residential road. He was also ordered to undergo 12 months of supervision and perform 120 hours of community service.
A second charge related to a breach of his bail conditions by violating a nighttime curfew, but it was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the incident and confirmed that Hodgson was known to at least one occupant of the address. Body-worn camera footage indicated that he was attempting to threaten people before the fatal shots were fired, which will undergo further analysis.
Neighbours described Hodgson as a “troubled and haunted individual” who often appeared stressed and preoccupied. He had been residing in a multi-occupancy house for approximately six months and was known to frequently smoke outside the property.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist commended the bravery of the officers involved in the response, stating that police actions “prevented further loss of life” and that officers had genuine concerns for the safety of the individuals inside the property.
The coroner has been informed, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. Fatal police shootings in the UK are relatively rare, with fewer than three incidents occurring per year since 2017.
