A man has been shot dead by police at Milton Keynes railway station after reportedly charging at officers with a knife. The incident occurred shortly before 1 pm on Tuesday, April 1, when officers from Thames Valley Police (TVP) and British Transport Police (BTP) were alerted to reports of an armed man at the busy railway station.
Incident Details
Police initially responded to reports of a man carrying a firearm at Milton Keynes railway station. Armed officers from TVP arrived on the scene and confronted the man. During the confrontation, it was confirmed that the man was wielding a knife rather than a firearm. According to TVP, the man “moved at speed towards officers with the knife” before a shot was fired.
Despite immediate medical assistance, including life-saving actions at the scene, the man was pronounced dead at 1:44 pm. His identity has not yet been confirmed, and efforts to trace his next of kin are ongoing.
Eyewitness Accounts
Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang, with some initially believing it to be the sound of something heavy being dropped rather than a gunshot. Alan Brockbank, a local resident, described seeing a large police presence and armed officers around the front of the building. He witnessed attempts to resuscitate the man outside the station.
Another witness described the scene as chaotic, with police urging people to move back while paramedics worked on the man. The station was cordoned off, and commuters were redirected, causing significant disruption to train services.
Police and Community Response
TVP has stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public and reassured the community that the situation is under control. Chief Superintendent Emma Baillie, Milton Keynes Commander, said:
“We understand that this incident may cause concern locally, but we would like to reassure the community that there is no wider risk to the public.”
Councillor Shazna Muzammil, leader of the Conservative group at Milton Keynes City Council, expressed her shock at the incident, praising the police and emergency services for their swift response.
Investigation by IOPC
As per protocol, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been informed and launched an independent investigation into the incident. The IOPC declared the investigation at 2:26 pm, with investigators dispatched to the station to gather evidence.
“Our role in these circumstances is to independently investigate all of the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the actions and decisions taken by the police,” said an IOPC spokesperson.
Public Safety and Appeal for Information
The railway station has since reopened, and the area remains under increased police presence. TVP and BTP are appealing for any witnesses or those with video footage of the incident to come forward.
Community Reaction
Local residents expressed their shock, with one worker at a nearby store describing the area as being heavily cordoned off. Others shared their concerns on social media, with many expressing relief that the incident was contained swiftly.
This remains a developing story, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
