Fatal Shootout Near BA Headquarters LHR

[Airbubba]

Police Come Under Fire Near Heathrow

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 2:45 p.m. ET

LONDON (AP) -- Armed police patrolling near Heathrow Airport came under fire from the occupants of a car and returned fire Friday, a British news agency reported. One man died, police said.

Air News, the agency based at Heathrow, said police tried to stop a car that was driving along a road north of the airport when it refused to pull over, and the exchange of fire followed.

London's Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers were investigating a firearms incident at the airport, but had few details.

``We have nothing to suggest that this is a terrorist-related incident,'' a spokesman added on condition of anonymity.

Scotland Yard police headquarters confirmed that a white male was injured in the incident on a road close to the airport at 3:35 p.m., and said he died an hour later.

Air News said the shooting took place near British Airways head office, in an area that is not within the airport boundaries.

A witness said about 50 police officers and 20 police vehicles were at the scene.

Road traffic was badly snarled, but a spokesman for Heathrow said operations at the airport were continuing normally

Security at the airport was stepped up in February amid fears it might become a target for terrorist attacks.

[A120]

A police dog handler was in Saxon Way and saw a VW Golf with a male, which was being driven with a flat tyre. The officer stopped the Golf, but the man drove off and then hit a bicycle being pushed by a pedestrian.

As the dog handler followed, calling for assistance, the male produced a handgun and fired at the officer. It wasn’t a high speed chase as described by the media, but it gets a bit confusing after that, but results are that firearms officers challenge this man.

Although told to put the gun down, he continues to threaten the officers and they shoot.

The officers try to resuscitate and paramedics and HEMS attends. He is certified dead at the scene in Accommodation Lane, which is the slip road to Cranebank - BA Training Centre.

This man had a blank-firing handgun that is identical to the Police Glock automatic. I understand that it so close to the real thing that when fired, a shell casing is ejected and another loaded into the breach.

If going to BA Cranebank, it might be worth checking before you go on Monday morning. This road is closed and will stay closed until at least Sunday and possible beyond.

The dead man is local in his thirties who has been identified and his family informed.

It has nothing to do with terrorism, BA or the Airport. The only connection with Heathrow is that the officers are those that protect the Airport. They were faced with a man who had already fired the gun at officers and was now threatening them with what appeared to be a real handgun.

This shooting is a tragedy for all involved and my sympathies go out to the dead mans family and those officers involved in this shooting.

[NigelOnDraft]

<<If going to BA Cranebank, it might be worth checking before you go on Monday morning. This road is closed and will stay closed until at least Sunday and possible beyond. >>

I've just got from Cranebank. The incident was at least 2 miles from there as Crow Flies, and 3 by road... and completely the opposite corner of LHR to Braincrank.

It was in the area of the entrance to Waterside, BA's "headquarters"... nothing to do with training, all to do with paperwork and trivia...

Worth avoiding at any time, but probably more right now - I did hear today there were still many Police and cordons in the area....

NoD

[A120]

Oops My mistake, it is Colnbrook.

The A4 is open and rest should be ok, but there is a risk the entrance to Waterside will have restricted access and possible delays. My info is now a little old.

No doubt the investigating team will be asking why someone points a gun and fires it at armed police officers.