A man was taken to hospital in a “life-threatening” condition after he was shot by police at a home in London on Friday afternoon.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the actions of Metropolitan police officers during the incident at a property in Walthamstow, north-east London.
Family members called 999 at 10am on Friday reporting the man was inside a property armed with a gun and threatening to harm himself, police said.
Police officers and negotiators then spent about four hours at the scene.
As the situation developed, the man threatened to seriously harm anyone coming into the address and shoot himself, the spokesperson said.
At about 2pm, officers entered the property “by force” after “hearing a bang” from inside.
“As they entered, weapons were discharged,” the spokesperson said. “The circumstances of what happened prior to this and within the property will form part of the investigation.”
The man was treated at the scene by police medics and the London ambulance service, before he was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition.
His condition has since improved. “The man’s condition has now been assessed as non-life threatening, but life-changing,” the spokesperson said. He remains in hospital.
Cordons are in place around the property, and the public is being asked to stay away from the area.
“The incident is contained and there is no wider threat to the public,” the spokesperson said.
The matter has been referred to the Directorate of Professional Standards, who in turn made a mandatory referral to the IOPC.
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, east London, 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.”
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 Independent Office for Police Conduct 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 for their professionalism and bravery.”
