Dramatic video has been released showing how a police officer had a gun turned on him during a foot chase in south-east London.
PC Elwood was chasing the gunman on foot after police were called to a shooting at a recording studio in Woolwich in November 2020.
Shocking body-worn footage captured the moment the heroic cop and his police dog were threatened and was shown to jurors in the trial of four men involved in the shooting.
Speaking after the four criminals were sentenced to more than 30 years combined on Thursday, PC Elwood said he feared for his life when the firearm was pointed in his face.
“When the gun was pointed directly at my face my instant reaction was to turn away in fear, I thought I was about to be killed,” he said.
“However I continued to chase after them as they are dangerous individuals who needed removing from the streets.”
The trial heard how on November 3 2020 around 3am, the men made their way to a recording studio on Woolwich Church Street and fired three shots at a group, injuring a woman and a man.
Police raced to search for them after they fled the scene in a stolen car. Officers from the dog support unit found the getaway car which crashed into a parked car before the five men ran off.
Two magazines containing live ammunition, three large Rambo knives and a machete were found in the car.
PC Elwood chased one of the men, Mucktar Khan, who pointed his Turkish Retay 9mm semi-automatic at him and his police dog, PD Cruz.
Khan was arrested shortly after by armed officers in a nearby estate.
Three others, Myiles Brown, Joshua Fasoro and Don-Juan Newman, were also arrested by armed officers hiding nearby.
After a five week trial at Croydon Crown Court, four men were jailed. The fifth is still at large, and enquiries are ongoing to catch him, said police.
Khan, 23, from Kennington, was jailed for nine years for possession of a prohibited firearm and of possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.
Myiles Brown, 22, from Camberwell, was handed seven years and six months’ behind bars for possession of a prohibited firearm and sentenced to seven years and six months’ imprisonment.
Joshua Fasoro, 21, from Camberwell, was jailed for eight years and six months for possession of a prohibited firearm and a further possession of a prohibited firearm relating to a 2019 matter in which a revolver was recovered in an electrical cupboard that also contained his DNA sample.
Don-Juan Newman, 23, from Stockwell, was also jailed for seven years and six months for possessing a firearm.
All four were acquitted of the attempted murder of the man and woman.
Detective Constable Andy Brackley said the men’s actions were “extremely reckless” and that it was only “sheer luck” that those shot on the night were not seriously injured.
He said police did not believe they were the intended targets.
“The footage from the officer’s body worn camera is shocking and displays the bravery and dedication officers can sometimes face,” he said. “PD Cruz was also instrumental that evening in apprehending one of the offenders”.
The officer who was threatened, PC Ellwood, added: “The presence of two police dogs during this incident was instrumental. One of the dogs found a discarded firearm and another played a significant role in capturing one of the suspects.
“I joined the police so I could stop violent and dangerous criminals who pose a risk to society from causing harm to communities and this case is a classic example of that.”
