Six people are in hospital and a male suspect has been shot dead by armed police during a major incident in the city center of Glasgow, Scotland in which an officer was reportedly stabbed.
Police Scotland said the incident was not being treated as terrorism and the investigation is ongoing. Assistant Chief Constable with Police Scotland Steve Johnson said: “The individual who was shot by armed police has died. Six other people are in hospital for treatment to their injuries including a police officer, who is in a critical but stable condition.”
Johnson said police were continuing to deal with the incident on West George Street in Glasgow and asked people to avoid the area. He also asked the public to avoid sharing unconfirmed reports.
Police in Glasgow blocked off roads as emergency services dealt with the incident in the center of Scotland’s largest city. The Assistant Chief Constable earlier said he “would like to reassure the public that this is a contained incident and that the wider public is not at risk,” adding that they were not looking for anyone else in relation to it.
Dozens of police vehicles and ambulances attended the scene, with armed police seen entering a building next to the Park Inn by Radisson hotel. “I heard sirens and headed down,” witness Jamie O’Neill, a cellphone store owner who works nearby, told CNN.
He said ambulances and police, including armed response officers, were arriving at the scene. In the distance, he said, he could see people being transported on stretchers.
The Scottish Refugee Council said it was seriously worried about the situation at the Park Inn hotel. The refugee and migrant support group, Positive Action in Housing, said the hotel was being used by housing contractor Mears to accommodate asylum seekers on behalf of the UK Government.
In a statement posted on Twitter, the Scottish Refugee Council said: “Like everyone else, we are seriously worried about the situation at the Park Inn. We’re trying to get as much info as possible from Police Scotland and our thoughts are with everyone affected.”
Mears has previously commented about its use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers during the coronavirus pandemic. A spokesman told CNN on Friday: “We are referring all inquiries to the Home Office as this is an ongoing police operation.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident at West George Street in Glasgow, which is currently being investigated by the police.”
Earlier, Greater Glasgow police tweeted: “Emergency services are currently dealing with an incident on West George Street in Glasgow. The street is currently closed off and the public are asked to avoid the area at present. The situation is contained at this time and there is no danger to the general public.”
The Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, tweeted: “We are aware of reports a police officer has been stabbed in an incident in #Glasgow city centre. Our officials are in attendance to provide all necessary support.”
The police federation said “the family of the officer has been notified and is being supported by the service.”
Source: CNN
