Stand-off gunman dies

May 7 2008

A gunman who traded shots with police in a five-hour stand-off has died, Scotland Yard said.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission confirmed their investigators were on their way to the scene in Markham Square, Chelsea, west London.

Earlier, the man had exchanged fire with armed police officers three times from a flat and also sprayed a house opposite with bullets.

A spokesman for the IPCC said: "The IPCC will independently investigate the fatal shooting of the man in the Kings Road area of Chelsea."

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: "Following this incident a man has been pronounced dead. This is now a matter for the IPCC. Residents will be allowed back into their premises in due course."

An eyewitness said the gunman was in his late 20s with dark brown hair. Eyewitnesses reported seeing green flashes, indicating police may have used stun grenades before entering the flat.

The siege began when armed officers were called to reports of gunshots from a residential property around 4.50pm. The gunman opened fire on them and police fired back.

Kings Road was closed, with a number of shop workers and customers forced to lock themselves in nearby buildings as the siege unfolded.

A police negotiator was called in, but shots were heard at the property again about 9pm, and officers returned fire. Shots were then exchanged again about half an hour later, and shortly afterwards paramedics were seen being allowed into the cordoned-off area.

Commander Ali Dizaei said the gunman had made no demands.