A CROSSBOW attacker who was shot dead by police today was also armed with a knife, sword and ax – and was wearing body armor.
Officers swooped on a London street in the early hours of the morning after a man in his 30s tried to force his way into a house.
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This is the dramatic moment when armed policemen surrounded an attacker armed with a crossbow
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Weapons, including crossbow clubs, and a gas mask are strewn across the road today Credit: UKNIP
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He was trying to force his way into a building in Surrey Quays
The dramatic moment he was demolished in Bywater Place, Southwark was caught on camera.
The horror unfolded around 5am after the man allegedly threatened people he knew inside the property.
Unarmed police are said to have tried to talk to him but were forced to call for backup after he threatened them.
Multiple officers converged on a quiet residential street after a man entered a building and was killed.
Police have now launched an investigation into the man’s death.
They confirmed that the man – who was brandishing crossbows, a sword and an ax – knew at least one person in the house.
IOPC Regional Director Mel Palmer said: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident.
“The man’s next of kin have been informed and we will contact them in due course to explain our role.”
“We will update them regularly during our investigation.
“Given that a man died after being shot by police, it is our role to independently investigate all the circumstances of this incident, including the actions and decisions taken by the police.
“We appreciate that the community wants quick answers and our investigators are working hard to establish the facts and piece together what happened.”
A witness filmed the moment when Metropolitan Police officers and paramedics provided first aid in the middle of the street.
Weapons, including crossbow clubs and a gas mask, were strewn across the road as officers set up a cordon and forensics teams set off.
The police confirmed this afternoon that the man was wearing a bulletproof vest and had a knife, a sword and an axe.
Aerial images of the street show items, including water bottles, strewn across the pavement outside the address with crime scene markers placed next to them.
Two people in the building suffered minor injuries.
Neighbors said that they were woken up by a burst of screaming and yelling.
Restaurant owner Akber Baloch, 52, said: “I was sleeping and heard shouting. It also sounded like someone was banging on the door.
“There was banging and shouting. It sounded like a man and a woman.”
He added: “I was scared of what was happening. I’m really worried and it makes you feel unsafe.
“I don’t know who is wrong or right in this situation, but it makes you feel insecure.”
I was sleeping and I heard some shouting. It also felt like someone was banging on the door.
Akber Baloch Neighbor
IT consultant Valeria Bocanegra, 37, said: “I could hear shouting but I couldn’t hear what was being said.
“I heard someone scream and then everything went silent. I think a man and a woman had an argument.
“It’s quite a shock (to hear that someone has been shot). The family is behind this situation.
“A man died and it’s a terrible situation.”
Another neighbor, who did not want to be named, said the noise caused her dog to bark and wake her up.
She said: “It sounded to me like someone was trying to get in or maybe banging on furniture.”
The woman said: “The dog was barking. There was a lot of shouting. There were a lot of voices.
“You see things like this on TV, but when you see it’s real and it’s real people’s lives – it’s really sad.
“It’s going to be really traumatic for the people who were inside.”
I could hear someone screaming and then everything went silent. I think a man and a woman were fighting.
Valeria Bocanegra Neighbor
Watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation, as is standard when a fatal police shooting occurs.
Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, in charge of Southwark Police, said: “My thoughts are with all those affected by this incident.
“I understand that the local community will be concerned about the events that took place this morning.
“We will fully support the IOPC’s investigation into the full circumstances of what happened.”
An IOPC spokesman said: “We have launched an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of a man by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in Southwark earlier this morning.
“The MPS notified us after the incident which happened shortly before 5am and announced an independent investigation at around 6.40am.
“We have sent investigators to the scene and the police procedure after the incident to begin gathering evidence.
“Our investigation is at a very early stage.”
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A witness, a policeman, at the moment when the policemen surrounded the attacker with a crossbow
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Forensic scientists could be seen working next to the white tentCredit: PA
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Crossbow arrows, water bottles and cigarette packs were found on the pavement in front of the apartmentsCredit: UKNIP
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education