Armed Response shoot man dead

metman

'Police shoot man near cathedral'




A man has been shot dead by police in what is reported to be the grounds of Guildford cathedral in Surrey.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the shooting took place after Police responded to reports of an armed man. Investigators from the IPCC are at the scene of the incident, which happened at 1500 GMT, a spokesman said. The incident took place within the cathedral's grounds, a woman connected to the church said.

"We had to cancel an advent carol service to which 500-plus people were due to attend," she added.

Residents of nearby Benbrick Road said they heard the police helicopter hovering over their homes and saw officers descend on the area.



A couple who live in the road said last Sunday they had taken their young children to play in the cathedral grounds. The woman who asked only to be known as Vicky, said: "It's a shock to the system. My kids could have been playing in that field. We moved to a quiet area only to find that happening on our doorstep." Her partner, Ally, said the police helicopter appeared around 1330 GMT. He added that he was shocked by the shooting: "It's on religious grounds but crime goes on everywhere."

In a statement the IPCC said: "The IPCC investigators already deployed to the scene are in Guildford and will provide an assessment for IPCC Commissioner Rebecca Marsh, following a referral of the shooting by Surrey Police.

"The police had deployed armed officers following reports of an armed man earlier this afternoon."

Mrs Marsh sent her condolences to the dead man's family and friends. She added: "I would like to reassure the man's family, the public and the police officers that the IPCC investigation will be thorough, proportionate and timely."

A spokesman for Surrey Police said they were unable to disclose any information about the shooting.

The cathedral featured in the 1976 horror movie, The Omen.
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TheNog

metman wrote: »

The cathedral featured in the 1976 horror movie, The Omen.

I wonder

metman

Updated that last night a 21-year-old woman claimed the suspect was an unemployed 26-year-old drug dealer who had a fascination with knives and guns. She said the man was well known by people in Guildford and that he had recently attacked clubbers at a night spot in the town. Police refused to discuss the man's identity, or any details of the case. Investigators from the IPCC arrived at the cathedral last night and began taking statements from the marksmen involved in the operation.

source

FGR

Best of luck to those officers involved getting through the rigorous and stressful followup to such an incident. It's not easy to make that split second decision and then face the music for the next number of months.

I'm glad to see someone come out and give some details as to the perp..whereas here I doubt the media would entertain someone pro Garda and demand the Ombudsman not only take statements, but arrest and detain those involved as well pending preparation of a file and interruption of a Coroner's Court.