A woman has died after she was taken hostage and shot during an hour-long police stand-off with a gunman.
Kent Police were called to a property in Dartford, Kent at 12.40pm on Saturday following reports of a disturbance.
Officers, along with a trained police negotiator, attended and attempted to engage with a man inside the address. Firearms officers also attended.
A 29-year-old man inside the address held a woman hostage who was found with injuries believed to be from a handgun.
The 36-year-old woman was taken to a London hospital but sadly died last night from her injuries.
The man was also rushed to the hospital with a firearms injury and remains in critical condition.
He is being treated as a suspect as the investigation has shifted from a firearms incident to a murder investigation.
Neighbours described being told to stay inside and said the police entered the property after about an hour.
One said "I was in the house and my husband and two girls were out - they couldn't get back home.
"I went out and was told, 'Get back - you must stay indoors."
Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
The woman's home remained cordoned off in the days following her death, and forensics teams have been seen entering the property.
A spokesperson for Kent Police said: "An investigation into a firearms incident at a property in Dartford is now being treated as murder after the victim died in hospital.
"Kent Police was called at 12.40pm on Saturday 6 May 2023, to a report of a disturbance at a property in Priory Road, Dartford.
"Officers, along with a trained police negotiator, attended and attempted to engage with a man inside the address.
"Firearms officers also attended and whilst they were at the scene, a 36-year-old woman suffered injuries believed to have been caused by a handgun and she was taken to a London hospital.
"The victim died from her injuries shortly before the evening of Monday 8 May.
"The man, aged 29, was also taken to hospital with a firearms injury and he remains in a critical condition.
"He is being treated as the suspect and an investigation is being led by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate."
Kent Police has now referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for further investigations.
A spokesman for the IOPC said: “We have received a referral from Kent Police and we are assessing the available information to decide whether any further action is required."
Anyone with information which may assist the investigation should call Kent Police on 01474 366149, quoting reference 46/80922/23.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 5551111 or by using the online form on their website.
