- Bethan Bell & Sam Harrison
- bbc news
Police were called just before 05:00 GMT.
A man has been shot dead by police in south London after police reported he was armed with a crossbow and trying to break into a house.
According to the Met Office, armed police were called to a house in Surrey Quays, Southwark, just before 5pm Japan time.
The man, who is in his 30s, is said to have threatened to harm those inside.
Police said the man had just entered the Bywater Place property when he was shot. He received first aid but died at the scene.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is trying to contact the family.
Two people inside the house are believed to have sustained minor injuries.
Armed police took over after threatening local police officers.
A large number of police vehicles remain parked in front of the cordon separating the road from the main road.
Residents here have expressed disbelief that something like this could happen.
“This area is pretty peaceful. Nothing like this happens. It’s shocking to see something like this happen,” Michael Wren said of the shock he felt after leaving his home.
Many people living within the lockdown area have been anxiously watching police operations throughout the day and are still confused as to why the initial clashes occurred.
Crime scene investigators are at the scene of a shooting.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched the usual investigation into fatal police shootings.
Det Ch Supt Seb Adjei-Addoh said: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident.
“We understand that local residents are concerned by the events that occurred this morning. We fully support the IOPC investigation to establish the full circumstances of what happened.”
An IOPC spokesperson said: “Following the incident, we received a report from the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service).
“We have dispatched investigators to the scene and have begun police post-incident procedures and evidence collection.”
Police are trying to contact the deceased man’s family, the Metropolitan Police Department said.
The most recent fatal shooting by the Metropolitan Police was in November when Giedrius Vasilievas, 40, was shot dead at his home in Dagenham, east London, after calling 999 saying he had loaded a gun and committed suicide.
The shooting incident has been reported to the IOPC.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sound and follow BBC London on Facebook. X And Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].