In a tragic incident this morning, a man believed to be armed with a crossbow has been shot dead by armed police in Southwark, London. The man, thought to be in his 30s, was reportedly attempting to force entry into a property on Bywater Place, Southwark, and was threatening harm to residents inside.
Local officers initially attended the scene and tried to engage with the man. However, when he posed a threat, armed officers were summoned and swiftly arrived at the location.
The suspect had already entered the property when the armed police arrived, and a police firearm was discharged.
Officers and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service promptly administered first aid, but regrettably, the man succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Enquiries are ongoing to inform his next of kin.
Two occupants of the property sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, responsible for policing Southwark, expressed condolences for those affected by the incident and stated, “My thoughts are with all those affected by this incident. I understand the local community will be concerned at the events that have taken place this morning. We will fully support the IOPC investigation into the full circumstances of what happened.”
Armed police officers undergo rigorous training and routinely patrol the streets of London, often confronting challenging and dangerous situations to protect the public and their unarmed colleagues. The discharge of firearms by these officers is a rare occurrence, and it is expected that their actions will be closely examined during the ongoing investigation.
The Metropolitan Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been notified of the incident, and a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has initiated an independent investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
