Armed raider shot dead near Royal palace
A MAN was shot dead by police yesterday near to Kensington Palace. He had reportedly been seen earlier entering a bookmakers and a bank carrying a gun.
Armed officers descended on the scene near Kensington Gardens in West London after the suspected gunman was seen leaving a nearby area in a vehicle.
About 15 minutes later, at 3.19pm, armed police pulled in front of a people carrierstyle black taxi in the road, close to the Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Palace.
A witness reported seeing the armed officers, who had blocked the taxi’s path with their BMW police car, firing three shots into the back of the cab at the suspect, before dragging him through the open passenger door.
An onlooker said: ‘I was driving past when I saw the police cut up a black cab, so I did a U-turn and as I got out of the car I saw the police fire two shots and another shot after three or four seconds.
‘I was standing around 20 metres away. I saw them drag him out of the black cab. They handcuffed him while he was on the floor. He was struggling at the start but they had him under control. By then they realised he couldn’t breathe or was struggling for his breath so they quickly started first aid and CPR.’
A police helicopter had been scrambled and could be seen overhead in the aftermath of the shooting.
Officers were seen carrying out first aid on the suspected gunman, but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 4.08pm.
Police last night reported that the man had entered a bookmakers and a bank with a firearm nearby in West London.
He later left the scene in a vehicle which is thought to have been the black cab.
It is understood the initial call to police was made from Marloes Road, close to the bookmakers and bank.
Last night officers had placed a large cordon around the scene, where there was a large police presence and items strewn across the ground close to the taxi.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said the force’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed while the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.