A MAN believed to be wielding a crossbow has been shot dead by armed police in London.
He was attempting to force entry to a property in Southwark when police were called in at around 4.55am this morning.
A man believed to be wielding a crossbow has been shot dead by armed police
He is thought to have been armed with other weapons and was threatening to harm residents at an address on Bywater Place.
Local officers attended and tried to speak to the man, believed to be in his 30s, but after being threatened armed cops swooped in.
The man had got inside the property when a police marksman opened fire.
Officers and paramedics immediately provided first aid but sadly the man died at the scene.
Enquiries are ongoing to inform his next of kin.
Two occupants received minor injuries during the incident.
Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, responsible for policing Southwark, said: “My thoughts are with all those affected by this incident.
“Armed officers are highly trained and patrol the streets of London on a daily basis, dealing with challenging, fast moving and often dangerous situations to try and protect the public and their unarmed colleagues.
“They discharge their weapons very rarely and all officers understand and expect that when they do, their actions will be closely scrutinised.”
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed.
A referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which has begun an independent investigation.
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