LONDON (FRANCE) – A police officer was fatally shot on Friday by a man held in custody in South London.
According to police, the incident took place at 2.15 am while the man was being detained at the Croydon Custody Centre. After being shot, the officer was treated at the scene and rushed to hospital where he died.
The 23-year-old was detained at the crime scene and was taken to hospital as he too suffered a gunshot wound and is in a critical condition.
According to the BBC, he was not shot at by the officers. Instead, he shot himself. A probe is underway, police said.
“My deepest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of the police officer who was killed in Croydon last night,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.
“We owe a huge debt to those who risk their own lives to keep us safe.”
London police chief Cressida Dick said the incident was “truly shocking”, adding that investigation is in the early stage and they are trying to find the circumstance that led to the shooting.
Interior Minister Priti Patel said she was shocked and saddened by fatal shooting.
“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,” Patel said.
The shooting of police officers is quite rare in the country where most officers go around unarmed.