A man armed with a crossbow and an array of other weapons has been shot dead by armed police in south London.
Police descended on the property in Bywater Place, Southwark, just before 5am after reports a man was attempting to force his way into the building.
The man, thought to be in his 30s, was armed with weapons including a crossbow and was threatening to harm residents inside the address, police say.
Officers tried to speak to the man, but were threatened, so armed officers swooped to the location. The man managed to break inside the property so police sharpshooters responded and opened fire.
Paramedics immediately provided first aid but 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.
“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.”
A referral has been made to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has begun an independent investigation. This is standard practice after any fatal shooting involving the police.
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