The police watchdog has launched a probe after a man in his 20s was shot dead during a chase in south London.
Armed cops were chasing a ‘suspect vehicle’ before police ‘crashed into’ the car in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill, at around 9.51pm last night.
The man then suffered a gunshot wound after specialist officers fired at the vehicle, a statement from the Metropolitan Police has said.
Officers administered first aid at the scene before the man was rushed to hospital, but he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
The Met has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the shooting, while police cordons remain in place around the scene today.
A 39-year-old man, who lives on New Park Road and asked not to be named, said: ‘The (driver) drove up New Park Road and turned up Kirkstall Gardens. A police car came down Kirkstall Gardens and crashed into him.
An overhead view of the scene in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill, today following the shooting on Monday night
A forensics officer works inside a large police cordon around the shooting in south London on Tuesday
The Met has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following the shooting. Pictured: A forensic officer at the scene
A blue tent erected inside the police cordon in south London today, where a man was shot dead by officers
‘Another police car came in behind him and they had him locked in at the bottom of Kirkstall Gardens. The car was immobile when he was shot.’
He added: ‘The bang was really loud. I was in my house with my gaming headphones on and I heard it.’
One woman who lives in Kirkstall Gardens, who wished to remain anonymous, added: ‘I heard a big bang and then I came outside. From inside I could see the blue lights and a helicopter. There were plenty of police officers.
‘It looked like somebody was lying on the floor and they were trying to attend to the person. I’ve lived here for a year or so and I’ve never experienced anything like that.
A second man who lives in the road said: ‘I heard what sounded like one or two gunshots and then a lot of commotion. I saw some police cars and then the main commotion was over pretty quickly.’
Streatham Hill residents claimed officers performed CPR on the suspect after shooting him.
A statement from the IOPC said: ‘The IOPC has begun an independent investigation following an incident involving firearm officers from the Metropolitan Police in Lambeth, south London, last night.
‘At this early stage it is believed a man was fatally shot during the police response to reports of a suspect vehicle.
‘We were notified by the MPS of the incident shortly after 11pm and we declared an independent investigation shortly before midnight.
‘IOPC investigators were sent to the scene and the post incident procedures to start gathering evidence.
‘Our thoughts and sympathies are with all of those affected by this terrible incident. Our investigation remains in the very early stages.’
A spokesperson for the Met said: ‘At 9.51pm on Monday, 5 September specialist firearms officers were in pursuit of a suspect vehicle in the Lambeth area.
‘The vehicle was stopped following tactical contact in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill. A police firearm was discharged.
‘An occupant of the suspect vehicle – a man believed to be aged in his 20s, sustained a gunshot injury.’
The Met statement continued: ‘London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance were requested. Officers administered first aid prior to their arrival and the man was taken to hospital, where he died at 12.16am.
‘Enquiries are ongoing to notify his next of kin. Cordons and road closures are in place.
The Met added: Officers administered first aid prior to their arrival and the man was taken to hospital, where he died at 12.16am
The vehicle was stopped following tactical contact in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill. A police firearm was confirmed to have been discharged
‘As is protocol, the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards were contacted and they notified the Independent Office for Police Conduct, who have launched an independent investigation.
‘Enquiries into the exact circumstances are ongoing.’
It comes after a man was shot dead in High Street Kensington in the early hours of Sunday.
Maximillian Kusi-Owusu, a drill rapper known as M Lo, was shot at around 2am on Sunday and was given first aid by officers who were called to the scene, but was pronounced dead at 5.32am.
Tributes were paid to the rapper who has been described as ‘extremely talented’ and energetic.
A man has been arrested in connection with the shooting, but was released on bail yesterday.
