Scottish Assistant Police Chief Steve Johnson said police responded to a report of an incident at the Park Inn hotel on West George Street at 12:50 pm Friday, local time (7:50 am ET).
“Officers arrived on the scene in two minutes, and armed officers soon after, and the incident was quickly contained,” he said.
“One man was shot by the armed police and died. Six other men are in hospital for treatment, including a 42-year-old police officer, who is in a critical but stable condition. The officer’s family is aware .
“The other men in the hospital are 17, 18, 20, 38, and 53 years old. Liaison officers have been appointed.” Our thoughts go out to the families of the wounded, including our officer. “
Johnson said the incident was not being treated as terrorism and that the investigation is continuing, but added that “there was no broader risk to the public.”
Dozens of police vehicles, along with fire trucks and ambulances, attended the scene. The armed police were seen entering a building next to the hotel.
“I heard sirens and I went downstairs,” witness Jamie O’Neill, the owner of a cell phone store that works nearby, told CNN.
He said ambulances and police, including armed response officers, were arriving at the scene. In the distance, he said, he could see people being carried on stretchers.
The Radisson Hotel Group, owner of the Park Inn, said the hotel has been used for temporary accommodation during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic event that occurred today on West George Street in Glasgow. We are working with the hotel owner and all relevant local authorities, including the Scottish Police, to support the investigation,” said Tom Flanagan Karttunen, senior from the vice-president area of northern and western Europe, in a statement provided to CNN.
The Scottish Refugee Council said it was very concerned about the situation at the hotel.
Refugee and migrant support group Positive Action in Housing said the hotel was being used by housing contractor Mears to accommodate asylum seekers on behalf of the UK government.
In a statement posted on Twitter, the Scottish Refugee Council said: “Like everyone else, we are very concerned about the situation at the Park Inn. We are trying to obtain as much information as possible from Police Scotland and our thoughts they are all affected. “
A spokesperson told CNN on Friday: “We are forwarding all inquiries to the Interior Ministry, as this is an ongoing police operation.”
An Interior Ministry spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident on West George Street in Glasgow, which is currently being investigated by the police.”
The police federation said that “the officer’s family has been notified and is being supported by the service.”
President David Hamilton said the federation focused on “helping the family of our colleague who has been seriously injured.”
Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the reports were “really terrible” and asked the public via Twitter to avoid the area where the incident occurred, while the police are dealing with it, and not to share unconfirmed information .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted that he was “deeply saddened” by the incident.
“Deeply saddened by the terrible incident in Glasgow, my thoughts go out to all the victims and their families. Thank you to our courageous emergency services who are responding,” Johnson tweeted.
UK opposition leader Keir Starmer tweeted: “The reports of an incident in the West George Street area of Glasgow are extremely disturbing. My thoughts are with everyone involved.”
The United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Woody Johnson, expressed his sympathy for those affected by the incident.
He wrote on Twitter: “My thoughts go out to all those affected in Glasgow and the brave emergency services who step forward to protect us.”
UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said reports coming out of the Glasgow incident are “deeply alarming” and called on the public to avoid the area.
She tweeted, “Deeply alarming reports from Glasgow. Follow police advice and avoid the area.”
CNN’s Schams Elwazer, Paul Murphy, Nada Bashir, Dan Wright and Niamh Kennedy contributed to the reports.
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