Armed officers were called to an address in Stow Crescent today (October 10) at 10am, after reports of a man with a firearm and allegedly “making threats to kill”.
Trained negotiators were also at the scene and the incident was ongoing for a number of hours.
Four hours after it was first reported, the Metropolitan Police said officers had “reason to enter the property by force” and weapons were discharged.
The man has been taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition.
Officers reportedly found what they believed to be a gun inside the property and a cordon remains in place.
The incident is also being referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police were called to an incident to an address in Stow Crescent, Walthamstow, at around 10am this morning (October 10).
“It was reported a man inside the property had a firearm and was making threats to kill.
“Officers and trained negotiators were on the scene for a number of hours and a cordon remained in place.
“At about 2pm, officers had reason to enter the property by force and following this, discharged their weapons.
“The circumstances of what happened will form part of the investigation.
“The man was treated at the scene by police medics and the London Ambulance Service.
“He is in a life-threatening condition at hospital.
“Officers found what they believed to be a gun inside the property.
“Cordons will remain in place and we ask the public to stay away from the area.
“The incident is contained and there is no wider threat to the public.
“The incident is being referred to the directorate of professional standards, who in turn will make a mandatory referral to the IOPC.”
