A police officer has been shot dead by a suspect being booked into custody at a south London police station.
The custody sergeant was shot before the suspect then turned the gun on themselves at the Croydon Custody Centre in Windmill Lane just after 2am on Friday.
The officer – who has not been identified – was rushed to a local hospital but he was unable to be saved.
The suspect was also taken to hospital with a gunshot wound and is in a critical condition, a Metropolitan police spokesman said.
He added: “We are in the process of informing all of the officer’s family and are supporting them with specialist officers.”
The prisoner was being booked in for possession of ammunition at around 2am, it is believed. The police spokesman said no police firearms were discharged.
The officer’s death has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for an investigation.
Commissioner Cressida Dick said: “This is a truly shocking incident in which one of our colleagues has lost his life in the most tragic circumstances. My heart goes out to his family, direct colleagues and friends.
“We are currently supporting his family and also have a dedicated team providing support to the officers and those in the custody centre who witnessed the shooting.
“When a colleague dies in the line of duty the shockwaves and sadness reverberates throughout the Met and our communities. Policing is a family, within London and nationally, and we will all deeply mourn our colleague.
“We are in the early stages of the investigation and are still working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and we will provide further updates when we have them.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn that a Metropolitan Police Officer has been shot and killed in the line of duty.
“My thoughts today are with his family, friends and policing colleagues in London and across the country.
“This morning I spoke to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick to express my condolences and to offer whatever support is needed as this tragic event is investigated.
“This is a sad day for our country and another terrible reminder of how our police officers put themselves in danger each and every day to keep the rest of us safe.”
This story is being updated
