A man in his 30s who was reportedly armed with a crossbow has been shot dead by armed police in south-east London.
The Metropolitan Police said the man was trying to force his way into a building in Bywater Place, Surrey Quays, just before 5am on Tuesday and was threatening to hurt the people inside.
Unarmed officers tried to speak to him but were threatened, and when police marksmen arrived he had got into the building and was shot.
A man died after being shot by armed officers responding to calls for help from occupants of an address in #Southwark.
We understand the local community will be concerned by this incident and the matter has been referred to the #IOPC
Read more 👇https://t.co/KTAZFxuoJ7
— Southwark Police | Central South BCU (@MPSSouthwark) January 30, 2024
He was given first aid but died at the scene, and police are trying to contact his family.
Watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation, as is standard when there is a fatal police shooting.
Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, responsible for policing Southwark, said: “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.”
Two people in the building suffered minor injuries.
Forensics officers could be seen working next to a white tent which had been set up behind a police cordon.
Police tape, guarded by uniformed officers, blocked the winding roads around the inner city south-east London scene which is surrounded by residential flats and terraced houses.
Uniformed officers could also be seen patrolling the area.
An IOPC spokesman said: “We have begun an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of a man by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) earlier this morning in Southwark.
“We were notified by the MPS after the incident, which occurred shortly before 5am, and declared an independent investigation at around 6.40am.
“We have sent investigators to the scene and the police post-incident procedure to begin gathering evidence.
“Our investigation is in its very early stages.”
Fatal police shootings are relatively rare in the UK – there were only three in the year to March 31 2023.
The most recent Met fatality was the death of Giedrius Vasiljevas, 40, who was shot at his home in Dagenham, east London, in November after calling 999 to say he had loaded guns and wanted to take his own life.
