Man ‘armed with a crossbow’ shot dead by police in London, emergency services arrive at scene
A man armed with a crossbow was shot dead by armed police as he tried to break into a building in south-east London, police said.
When police arrived at the quiet property in the early hours of the morning, neighbors heard “impacts and screams”. One of the girls told her father, “Daddy, I heard someone being shot.”
The Metropolitan Police said a man in his 30s tried to break into a building in Bywater Place, Surrey Quays, just before 5am on Tuesday and threatened to harm those inside.
Unarmed officers attempted to speak to him but were threatened, and when a police gunman arrived he entered the building and was shot dead.
The man received first aid, but died at the scene, and two occupants of the building also sustained minor injuries.
Police are currently trying to contact the family, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has also launched an investigation.
Statement from London Ambulance Service
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were contacted at 5.03am today to reports of an incident in Bywater Place, Surrey Quays.
“We dispatched resources to the scene, including paramedics and incident response personnel.
“We also dispatched the London Air Ambulance, which consists of a trauma team, by car. They treated three people at the scene, two of whom sustained minor injuries.
“The third patient was pronounced dead at the scene.”
holly evansJanuary 30, 2024 12:26
A white tent and cordon remain at the crime scene.
Forensic investigators are seen working next to a white tent set up behind a police cordon.
The winding roads around the inner city of south-east London, surrounded by residential flats and terraced houses, were cordoned off with police tape and guarded by uniformed officers.
Uniformed police officers were also seen patrolling the area.
holly evansJanuary 30, 2024 12:09
Armed police descend on quiet street as neighbors suspect terrorist attack
the neighbor said Independent: “My daughter woke up and said, ‘Dad, I heard someone get shot.’ There were gunshots.”
“I thought if he got shot, it might be a terrorist attack. I’ve lived here for five years and I’ve never heard anyone get shot or even scream.
“It’s mostly families and young professionals here. It’s shocking for our region, but where is next?”
Forensic authorities took photos of the front door of the home, which appears to be rented to multiple people.
Bernie DavisJanuary 30, 2024 11:53
The girl told her father, “Daddy, I heard someone being shot.”
Neighbors heard a man frantically banging on doors and screaming before police arrived on the scene.
One girl told her father, “Daddy, I heard someone being shot.”
A 53-year-old man said: Independent: “I woke up to the sound of a man banging on the door. It sounded like he was trying to force his way in.
“Then a police car arrived with sirens blaring. It was about 5 a.m., so I don’t think it was party time or anything. I couldn’t hear what he was yelling, but he was inside. I was trying to get in.”
Bernie Davis January 30, 2024 11:48
Where was the filming done?
The incident happened just before 5am in Bywater Place, south-east London.
holly evansJanuary 30, 2024 11:28
More photos from the scene
holly evansJanuary 30, 2024 11:18
Sadiq Khan: ‘My thoughts are with everyone affected’
The Mayor of London said it was “right” for the IOPC to thoroughly investigate the situation and offered his condolences to those affected.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, Sadiq Khan wrote: It is right that the independent IOPC will now investigate the whole situation. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. ”
holly evansJanuary 30, 2024 11:07
Police shootings are relatively rare in the UK.
Police shootings are relatively rare in the UK, with just three incidents occurring in the year to March 31, 2023.
The Met’s latest fatality was Giedrius Vasilievas, 40, who was shot dead in November at his home in Dagenham, east London, after calling 999 saying he had loaded a gun and said he was going to kill himself.
holly evansJanuary 30, 2024 11:02
Neighbors heard ‘loud bang’ and screams before fatal shooting
Local residents said they heard explosions and screams when police arrived at the scene.
An off-duty paramedic said: “I heard a scream early this morning, and it sounded like a fox to me. I’ve lived here for three years and it’s a quiet place, very nice and safe. The crossbows are crazy – It’s very medieval.”
Another woman added: “We woke up hearing a loud bang and saw police everywhere with sirens blaring.
“People were screaming, but they were confused and couldn’t understand what they were saying.”
Bernie Davis January 30, 2024 10:57
Local councilor praises emergency services for ‘quick response’
The Liberal Democrat MP said he was “deeply concerned” by the news that a man had been shot dead by armed police in Southwark and praised the response of emergency services.
Adam Hood, Managing Director of Surrey Docks, said: “We are extremely concerned by this news from Bywater Place. Details are not yet clear but we are grateful for the quick response of emergency services at this time.”
holly evansJanuary 30, 2024 10:55