Today early morning at a police station a metropolitan police custody sergeant was shot and killed, by a suspect, who moreover turned the weapon on himself, but he survived.
The police officer was shot today morning at 2:15 A.M, by a man who was being detained for possession of ammunition at Croydon custody center in South London.
The sergeant was treated at the scene by officers and London Ambulance Service technicians, after that he was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
Since September 2012 when Dale Cregan killed PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, it is the first time that a UK police officer has been shot and got killed on duty.
The 23-year-old suspect got arrested by officers, they took him to the hospital because of his gunshot wound, he is still in critical condition, detectives reported.
Police firearms were not discharged, they informed the sergeant’s relatives and supporting them with specialist officers, said Scotland Yard.
Commissioner Cressida Dick said that it is a certainly shocking situation, where one of her colleagues lost his life in these tragic circumstances, her heart is with the sergeant’s family, and feels terribly sorry for them.
She continued, they are supporting the officer’s family and there is a dedicated team providing support to the officers and those in the custody center who was at the shooting. Policing is family, and they will all deeply mourn their colleague, she added.
They are still in the early stages of the investigation, and they will keep on providing new updates.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said that she is truly shocked and sorrowful because of this incident where Metropolitan Police Officer got shot and killed while he was on duty. Her thoughts and heart are with the sergeant’s family, policing colleagues in London, and across the country. She added, this morning she talked with Commissioner Cressida Dick to express her condolences and to offer whatever support is needed.
Steve Reed, Labour MP for Croydon North, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer shared a post on Twitter about this incident, they wrote that they are truly shocked and their thoughts are with the officer’s family, friends, and colleagues.
Scotland Yard said the case has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct which will lead to an independent investigation.