Cops said that “despite sustained efforts over a number of hours to engage with the man and bring the incident to a safe resolution”, he “presented a weapon before police fired” at about 9.30am
Armed cops shot the man to death (Image: Getty Images)
Armed cops have shot a man to death after he barricaded himself inside a house and “presented a weapon” during a standoff. Police raced to Aylesbury Road in Bedford shortly after 10.40pm on Monday following reports of vehicles being damaged.
A man in his 40s was found “barricaded” inside a property and “making threats”, Bedfordshire Police said. Specialist firearms cops, negotiators and other emergency services were drafted in as the tense stand-off dragged on through the night.
Officers “made sustained attempts” to engage with the man to bring the incident to a safe resolution, the force said. But shortly after 9.30am on Tuesday, the man brandished a weapon before police fired, a force spokesman said.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene just before 10.30am despite the best efforts of cops and medics who tried to perform life-saving first aid at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.
Nearby residents were also evacuated from their homes as emergency crews rushed to the scene as the incident unfolded. Residents are now being allowed back into their properties and police said there is not believed to be any ongoing risk to the public.
In line with standard protocols, Bedfordshire Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who have since launched an investigation. A cordon remains in place while enquiries continue at the scene.
Police and paramedics were pictured at the scene during Monday and Tuesday, as were gas safety vehicles. It was earlier reported that services were initially called to a house in the street regarding a “concern for welfare”.
A spokesman for Bedfordshire Police said: “We were called to reports of vehicles being damaged in Aylesbury Road shortly after 10.40pm yesterday (Monday).
“Officers attended and found a man in his 40s who had barricaded himself inside a property and was making threats. Specialist armed officers attended the scene, supported by police negotiators and other emergency services.
“Despite sustained efforts over a number of hours to engage with the man and bring the incident to a safe resolution, shortly after 9.30am, he presented a weapon before police fired.”
An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) spokesperson said: “We were notified by Bedfordshire Police that a man was shot by armed police at a property in Aylesbury Road and was declared deceased shortly before 10.30am.
“After being notified by the force, we declared an independent investigation and have sent investigators to the scene and the police post incident procedure to begin gathering evidence.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and everyone affected by this incident.”
Shocked locals have taken to social media to express shock at hearing gunfire on their otherwise quiet residential street.
One user commented on Green Party councillor Paul Edmonds’s Facebook post in a local group: “A number of shots were fired during the actual capture and shouts for ambulance were almost immediate.
“Whatever the official line will be it was a terrible event and probably a very sad one too.”
Another commented: “I could not believe what I was seeing outside my front door at 7.20am.”
