A man armed with a knife in a police station car park has been shot dead by armed officers. Derbyshire Constabulary said officers reported seeing the man in the car park of Ascot Drive police station in Derby at 9.55am today (October 7).
Armed police were called and shot the man at 10.03am, the force added. The man was treated by officers until paramedics arrived.
He was taken to hospital by ambulance but declared dead on arrival. No one else was hurt.
Police are working to identify the man and contact his next of kin. A cordon has been put in place and shops within it are shut.
James Douglas, 24, works at Floors to Walls on the Dunstall Park Road industrial estate, which faces the police station. He witnessed the incident, reports DerbyshireLive.
He said: "I was outside having a cigarette, and I saw a load of police officers gathered so I started to walk up the road a little bit, being nosey. I heard a male officer shout ‘drop the knife!’ and heard three loud gunshots.
"There was a load of police officers running over to the corner. There was loads of shattered glass and car windows smashed. I was stood there for five minutes or so just watching, but then a couple of officers came and told me to leave as they were cordoning it off.
"I was right up to the fence. I could see the aftermath of what happened. There was quite a large crowd of coppers. I presume there was a guy on the floor. I've been going back and forth all day to try and wrap my head around it. If some knife-wielding maniac can run into the police station, how safe are we as a society?"
Derby mum Emma Smalley, 28, had been shopping in B&M for about five minutes when the incident occurred. She was forced to leave immediately after the firearm was discharged when armed police were seen outside.
She said: "We heard about six massive bangs and didn't know what it was at the time. Everyone got evacuated. I've had to leave everything in there.
"I just thought it was banging. I didn't know whether it was a delivery for B&M or someone in the warehouse. It was noisy. It's quite scary to think that if I'd been any later getting there I could've witnessed it."
Derby North MP Amanda Solloway has spoken about the incident. She said: "Like most people living in Derby, I am greatly disturbed by the worrying news emerging about an incident in Ascot Drive earlier today. I have spoken to Derbyshire police's Chief Superintendent David Cox who has reassured me that the situation is under control and that police are working hard to ensure residents of Derby feel safe."
Derbyshire Constabulary's Professional Standard's Department has informed the Independent Office for Police Conduct about the incident.
