Police activity in Great Scotland Yard, in Whitehall, central London, near the area of an incident, in Whitehall, London, Monday, March 9, 2020. British police say they have shot dead a man who was brandishing two knives near Trafalgar Square in central London. The Metropolitan Police force said Monday that the shooting was not related to terrorism. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)
March 09, 2020 - 3:24 AM
LONDON - British police say they have shot dead a man who was brandishing two knives near Trafalgar Square in central London.
The Metropolitan Police force said Monday that the shooting wasn't terror-related.
The force said officers patrolling the area — close to Parliament and tourist hotspots — saw a man acting suspiciously late Sunday. When challenged, he produced two knives and was shot, the force said.
Most British police don't carry firearms, but the area around Parliament is often patrolled by armed officers.
Police shootings are relatively rare in the U.K. In 2019, British police fired guns 13 times. In November, officers shot and killed an attacker inspired by the Islamic State group who had fatally stabbed two people near London Bridge.
Police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the latest shooting.
News from © The Associated Press, 2020