Officer shot dead inside custody center in south London

 A Metropolitan Police custody sergeant has been shot dead inside a custody centre in south London.

 

According to Mail Online, the sergeant was shot at 2.15am on Friday September 24, by a 23-year-old suspect who was being detained for possession of ammunition at Croydon custody centre in South London.

 

Officers and London Ambulance Service paramedics treated the unnamed officer at the scene before he was taken to hospital where he later died.

 

After shooting the officer, detectives said the suspect turned the gun on himself but is still alive. He was arrested by officers at the scene and taken to hospital with a gunshot wound, where he remains in a critical condition.

 

Commissioner Cressida Dick said: 'This is a truly shocking incident in which one of our colleagues has 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 also have a dedicated team providing support to the officers and those in the custody centre who witnessed the shooting.

 

When a colleague dies in the line of duty the shockwaves and sadness reverberates throughout the Met and our communities. 

 

'Policing is a family, within London and nationally, and we will all deeply mourn our colleague.

 

'We are in the early stages of the investigation and are still working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and we will provide further updates when we have them.'

 

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: 'I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn that a Metropolitan Police Officer has been shot and killed in the line of duty.

 

'My thoughts today are with his family, friends and policing colleagues in London and across the country.

 

'This morning I spoke to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick to express my condolences and to offer whatever support is needed 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 each and every day to keep the rest of us safe.'