Armed officers forcibly entered a house in Stow Crescent near Higham Hill this afternoon and fired at least three gunshots, reports Marco Marcelline
A man has been left with “life-changing” injuries after he was shot by armed police following a four-hour stand-off in a Walthamstow cul-de-sac this afternoon (10th October).
The Metropolitan Police was initially called to an incident at a Stow Crescent home at around 10am, following family member reports that a man inside the property had a gun and was making threats to harm himself. It is understood he was alone at the time.
A significant police response involving trained negotiators and helmeted officers in armoured trucks later arrived at the scene, where they stayed for several hours while a cordon was in place.
As the incident developed the man threatened to seriously harm anyone coming into the address and shoot himself, police said.
At around 2pm, armed officers forcibly entered the home after hearing a bang from inside.
In footage of the break-in seen by the Echo, three gunshots can be heard while an officer yells “stay down”. Police later retrieved what they believe to be a gun from the property.
Further footage captured by neighbours shows a seriously injured man with an oxygen mask around his face being carried out of the home by armed officers and paramedics, and put in a stretcher.
The injured man appeared to be moving his head while paramedics lowered the stretcher into a parked ambulance van. His condition was later judged to be “non-life threatening, but life-changing”, police said. He remains in hospital.
An air ambulance team also arrived in a helicopter in nearby Cheney Row Park after the shooting.
Neighbours told the Echo that the events that unfolded over the afternoon were “terrifying and unusual”.
One said: “It was scary. This was the first time I’ve encountered something like this. As a resident, I’m a bit nervous staying here now because you never know if it could happen again.”
Residents were prevented from accessing their homes by dozens of police officers who blocked off the cul-de-sac until 4pm, with the incident now described as “contained” by officers.
Local man Colin James sharply criticised the police’s actions today. He told the Echo: “You can’t be shooting people like that. We can’t turn into America. All these police officers had tasers; they could’ve arrested him.”
Colin, who founded Street Fathers, a group who collect knives and guns from young people, added: “There could have been other ways of negotiating with him. They could have spoken to someone in the community; someone that knew him could have helped to mediate and de-escalate the situation. Instead [cops] came in all heavy-handed. You can’t shoot someone in their home like that.”
He continued: “They [the police] didn’t even give the family [of the injured man] a liaison support officer – they were locked outside their home and left to wait on the street. It’s not right.”
A Met Police spokesperson said the incident has been referred to the Directorate of Professional Standards, who in turn made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Met Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “Our thoughts at this time are with the injured man and his family.
“I know this news will be concerning for the community in Walthamstow and the wider public in London. However, I want to reassure you, incidents where officers discharge their firearms are incredibly rare.
“It is right that there is a full investigation into the circumstances around this incident, and the IOPC is leading this. This process must take its course and while that is ongoing it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.
“Armed officers do a difficult job for London, they respond to 4,000 calls a year, placing themselves in danger to protect others. They make split-second decisions in incredibly difficult and challenging circumstances, and I am grateful to all of them their professionalism and bravery.
“Our officers remain on scene and I would like to thank residents for their assistance and cooperation throughout the day.”
An IOPC spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have started an independent investigation into the actions of the Met police during an incident at an address in Walthamstow, where we understand a man was shot by police this afternoon and taken to hospital.
“After being notified by the Met police we declared an independent investigation at 4.13pm this afternoon and have sent investigators to the scene and to the post-incident procedure to begin gathering evidence.
“Our investigation is in the very early stages.”
Were you affected by what happened today or have information to share? Get in touch: [email protected]
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