Crossbow suspect held after police officer shot in leg
A POLICE officer was shot in the leg with a crossbow after responding to reports of a stabbing in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
The incident unfolded when Thames Valley Police were called to a house in Downley, High Wycombe, at about 6pm on Friday, after a man in his 60s was stabbed.
A 54-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He was taken to hospital under police supervision with potentially life-changing injuries after being shot by an armed police officer.
The police force said it had made a mandatory referral of itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct after the shooting. Tim Metcalfe, Assistant Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police said that both the man with the stab wound and the police officer who was shot with the crossbow had been discharged from hospital.
He said: “We were able to bring the incident to a swift conclusion, with all victims being treated following a rapid response by South Central Ambulance Service.
“Our officers showed incredible bravery by confronting the armed offender and warning members of the public to keep away; they are a credit to the force and the community.”
ACC Metcalfe said police were not hunting for any other suspects. Detective Superintendent Kevin Brown, head of the force’s Major Crime Unit, issued a call for pictures and video. “The incident occurred at a busy time of day so I’m sure there are likely to be many witnesses and people with information, pictures or footage relating to the incident,” said Det Supt Brown. The community centre in Downley was in lockdown for more than three hours around the time of the incident.
Forensic experts were seen working on the street yesterday. One resident said that witnessing the incident was like “working in a movie”, and that 15 to 20 police cars had attended the scene.
Andy Gupta, 49, said: “We saw three or four armed police through our window. That’s when we realised there was something serious going on. I felt like I was working in a movie.
“There were 15 to 20 police cars, armed police, three or four ambulances, and two critical care units.
Mr Gupta’s 13-year-old daughter, who was studying at the time, said: “A man coming out of a house looked like he had been stabbed in the stomach.
“And then armed police came and I heard gunshots. We were shocked – we didn’t think it would happen in such a quiet area.”