Man with firearm 'making threats to kill' shot by police after four-hour stand-off
An investigation has been launched after a man was shot by police in north London.
Police have said they shot a man after a four-hour stand-off during which he threatened to harm others and shoot himself.
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Family members called 999 at 10am on Friday reporting the man was inside a property in Stow Crescent, Walthamstow, armed with a gun and threatening to harm himself, the Metropolitan Police said.
For hours, armed officers and negotiators were on scene as the man inside threatened to seriously harm anyone coming into the address and shoot himself.
At around 2pm, after a bang was heard inside, officers entered the property and discharged their weapons, Scotland Yard said.
The man was taken to hospital with life-changing but not life-threatening injuries.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Police were called to an incident within an address in Stow Crescent, Walthamstow, at around 10:00 on Friday 10 October.
"It was reported a man inside the property had a firearm and was making threats to kill.
"Officers and trained negotiators were on scene for a number of hours and a cordon remained in place.
"At around 14:00, officers had reason to enter the property by force, and following this discharged their weapons.
"The circumstances of what happened will form part of the investigation."
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The spokesperson added: "The man was treated at the scene by police medics and the London Ambulance Service. He is in a life-threatening condition in hospital.
"Officers found what they believed to be a gun inside the property.
"Cordons remain in place and we ask the public to stay away from the area. The incident is contained and there is no wider threat to the public.
"The incident is being referred to the Directorate of Professional Standards, who in turn will make a mandatory referral to the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct)."
An IOPC spokesperson said: "We can confirm that we have started an independent investigation into the actions of the Met Police during an incident at an address in Walthamstow, east London, where we understand a man was shot by police this afternoon and taken to hospital.
"After being notified by the Met Police we declared an independent investigation at 4.13pm this afternoon and have sent investigators to the scene and to the post-incident procedure to begin gathering evidence.
"Our investigation is in the very early stages."
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: "Our thoughts at this time are with the injured man and his family.
"I know this news will be concerning for the community in Walthamstow and the wider public in London. However, I want to reassure you, incidents where officers discharge their firearms are incredibly rare."
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the incident.