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Updated 1 hour ago
The scene at Croydon Custody Center
Source: Aaron Chown / PA Images
A METROPOLITAN POLICE agent died after a man shot him inside a police station and then pointed the gun at himself.
The victim died in hospital after the gunman, who was in custody, opened fire at the Croydon custody center in south London in the early hours of this morning.
The 23-year-old murder suspect is in critical condition in hospital with a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being detained at the scene.
Scotland Yard said no police firearms were fired during the incident at around 2.15am
Met Commissioner Cressida Dick said: “This is a truly shocking incident in which one of our colleagues lost his life in the most tragic circumstances.
“My heart goes out to his family, direct colleagues and friends.
“We are currently supporting his family and we also have a dedicated team that provides support to the officers and those in the custody center who witnessed the shooting.
When a colleague dies in the line of duty, shockwaves and sadness reverberate through the Met and our communities.
Police are a family, within London and nationally, and we will all deeply regret our colleague.
“We are in the early stages of the investigation and are still working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and will provide further updates when we have them.”
The officer joins a long list of colleagues killed in the line of duty, and the honor roll at the National Police Memorial in London lists all officers who have been killed for criminal acts in the line of duty since 1680 .
The list registers more than 1,600 officers who have died while performing vital tasks such as thwarting terrorists, quelling rioters and organizing protests.
Among them was PC Andrew Harper, who was killed when he was caught on a tow rope and dragged along country roads after trying to stop ATV thieves in Berkshire in August 2019.
His three teenage killers were acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter after a trial at the Old Bailey.
Flowers left outside Croydon Custody Center
Source: Aaron Chown / PA Images
Tributes
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was among those reacting to the news this morning, tweeting: “My condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the police officer who was killed in Croydon last night.
“We owe a huge debt to those who risk their own lives to keep us safe.”
Interior Minister Priti Patel said: “I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn that an officer of the Metropolitan Police has been shot dead in the line of duty.
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“My thoughts today are with his family, friends and police colleagues in London and across the country.
“This morning I spoke with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick, to express my condolences and offer whatever support is necessary as this tragic event is investigated.
“This is a sad day for our country and another terrible reminder of how our police officers put themselves in danger every day to keep the rest of us safe.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I am devastated by the news that a Metropolitan Police officer has lost his life.
“The Commissioner informed me of this tragic incident this morning, and my heart goes out to the family of this brave officer, who has paid the highest price for helping to keep Londoners safe.”
The incident has been referred to the watchdog of the Independent Office of Police Conduct, which will conduct an independent investigation.
The Met continues to investigate the officer’s murder.
The officer’s family is being informed.
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