A man with a gun who allegedly threatened to take his own life has been shot dead by the Metropolitan Police in a Dagenham flat.
The man called the Met Police around 8pm last night to tell them that he wanted to take his own life and that he was in possession of loaded guns, according to a police statement.
Officers rushed to his address in Weston Green, Dagenham, and tried to talk to the man, believed to be in his 40s, in order to ‘bring the incident to a safe conclusion’.
Police contacted a specialist negotiator and continued efforts to engage with the man before shots were fired by officers just before 9pm.
Despite the efforts of police and paramedics, the man was pronounced dead at 9.30pm.
While the investigation is in its early stages, the Met Police has already revealed that a non-police firearm was found at the scene.
Commander Kyle Gordon, Frontline Policing Commander for North and East London, said: ‘My thoughts are with the loved ones of the man who has died, with the local community in Dagenham and the officers involved in this incident.
‘While formal identification has yet to take place, officers believe he was aged 40. His next of kin has been informed.
‘They will receive our full support.’
A search of the address suggests that nobody else was present at the time of the incident.
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was made aware immediately after the incident and the Independent Office for Police Conduct has been informed.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
