The crossbow attacker shot dead by armed police today has been pictured.
Bryce Hodgson, 30, was killed by armed officers after he was caught trying to force his way into a three-storey home in Surrey Quays, Southwark, on Tuesday at around 5am.
Two people with minor injuries were rescued from the flat that crossbow-wielding Hodgson attacked.
Investigators said he had an arsenal of weapons including at least two crossbows, a knife and an axe, and was wearing body armour.
Last month, Hodgson was in court accused of stalking after he allegedly broke into a woman’s bedroom and bombarded her with text messages, The Mirror reported.
The cannabis-smoking ‘dark horse’ often appeared ‘anxious’ and ‘on edge’, his neighbours in south London said.
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Bryce Hodgson, 30, (pictured) was killed by armed officers after he was caught trying to force his way into a three-storey home in Surrey Quays, Southwark, on Tuesday at around 5am
A gas mask and crossbow arrows were seen at the scene in Bywater Place, Surrey Quays
Incredible footage of the scene shows officers gathering around the residential home in south east London as two people are lead from the house
The group could be seen exiting the building as police stood cautiously by
The 30-year-old was born in Sheffield but lived in Middlesbrough until 2015.
Footage of the scene showed officers gathering around the residential home in south east London as two people are lead from the house.
With one appearing to still be wearing their pyjamas, the group were led away from the house and ushered under police tape.
Police were called to Bywater Place to find Hodgson attempting to force his way into a three-storey property and threatening to harm the residents. He is understood to have been known to at least one of the occupants.
He was shot dead with two shots from a police firearm after armed officers entered the house when they were called in by local police.
Paramedics attended but Hodgson was pronounced dead at the scene.
Among the weapons found at the scene were crossbows, a knife, a sword and a hatchet.
Pictures of the scene showed more than six officers crowd around the man.
In separate footage, recorded at 4.55am this morning, officers can be heard shouting at residents to ‘get out of the house’ before they attempted to talk to the attacker, who would eventually threaten them as well.
Armed officers were called to the scene shortly after and shot the man dead when he got inside the £300,000 property. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the incident.
Two people in the building suffered minor injuries.
Photographs from the scene seem to detail what was inside the man’s attack kit.
The images appeared to show military boots, a gas mask and a bulletproof Kevlar plate vest as well as crossbow bolts.
Neighbours to the property, which is occupied by several families, described being woken up by a couple screaming and shouting seconds before the attacker was shot.
Valeria Bocanera, 37, said: ‘There was a man and a woman who were screaming and shouting at each other. It went on for about a minute or so, and then it went silent.
In the footage recorded at 5am this morning, officers can be heard shouting at residents to ‘get out of the house’ before they attempted to talk to the attacker
Photographs from the scene detail what was inside the man’s terrifying attack kit, which includes a gas mask and bulletproof Kevlar plate vest
Police were called to a property (middle left) in Bywater Place, Southwark, at 4.55am to reports of a man, believed aged in his 30s, attempting to force entry into a residential property
Police have cordoned off the area after a officer discharged a firearm on the man when het got inside the property
Aerial shots of the crime scene which has currently been cordoned off by police
‘I did not go outside to see what was happening. My neighbour could see the body out of her window and it was uncovered and just lying on the floor.’
One woman, who asked not to be named, said: ‘You could hear all the police shouting to each other. We just stayed indoors and the police later told us not to come out.’
Restaurant owner Akber Baloch, 52, added: ‘I was sleeping and I heard some shouting. It was also like someone was banging a door. There was banging and shouting. It sounded like a man and a woman.
‘I am really worried and it makes you feel insecure. I do not know who is wrong or right in this situation but it makes you feel insecure.’
On Tuesday evening, Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist, who has overall responsibility for firearms, said: ‘The first unarmed officers knew they were arriving on scene to reports of man armed with weapons and threatening to harm people inside an address.
‘The officers knew there were people inside and had genuine fears for their safety.
‘Armed officers were called and attempted to get the man to surrender. They entered the property and shots were fired.
‘The officers, assisted by paramedics, provided emergency first aid to the man, who was wearing body armour, but he sadly died.
‘Weapons recovered from the scene include crossbows, a knife, a sword and a hatchet.
‘This is an extremely difficult day for everyone involved.
‘I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of all our officers who responded and thank all the emergency service staff involved.
‘I firmly believe their actions prevented further loss of life.’
After the incident, a police cordon remained in place, but photos showed a ground floor window at the rear of the property has been smashed and an upstairs one wedged open.
Police say enquiries are ongoing to inform the man’s next of kin. A white and yellow tent has been placed over where the body had fallen.
A yellow marker with the No 18 had been placed on the kerb outside the house to signify a piece of evidence.
Regional director Mel Palmer of the Independent Office for Police Conduct said: ‘Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this tragic incident. The man’s next of kin have been informed and, in due course, we will be contacting them to explain our role. We will keep them regularly updated throughout our investigation.
Police say enquiries are ongoing to inform the man’s next of kin and a white and yellow tent (seen in the background) has been placed over where the body had fallen
Forensic officers in blue overalls walked around the cordoned off area while a representative from the IOPC carried out door to door inquiries
‘Given a man has died after being shot by police, our role is to independently investigate all of the circumstances surrounding this incident including the actions and decisions taken by the police.
‘We appreciate that the community will want answers quickly and our investigators are working hard to establish the facts and piece together what occurred.’
Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service gave the man first aid when they arrived at the scene just after 5am and treated two more people for minor injuries.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We were called today (30 January) at 5:03am to reports of an incident on Bywater Place, Surrey Quays.
‘We sent some resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew and an incident response officer. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance, which consisted of a trauma team by car.
‘We treated three people at the scene, two of whom had minor injuries. The third patient was pronounced dead at the scene.’
A Met spokesperson explained that armed officers deal with fast-moving and dangerous situations, discharging their weapons rarely.
According to the Met, it is standard procedure to hand over a case to the IOPC if a person has been shot by an officer.
According to the Met, it is standard procedure to hand over a case to the IOPC if a person has been shot by an officer (policewomen at the scene pictured)
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the incident
Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, responsible for policing Southwark, said: ‘My thoughts are with all those affected by this incident.
‘I understand the local community will be concerned at the events that have taken place this morning. We will fully support the IOPC investigation into the full circumstances of what happened.’
The IOPC spokesperson said its investigators were at the scene on Tuesday morning and declared an independent investigation at around 6.40am.
Forensic officers in blue overalls walked around the cordoned off area while a representative from the IOPC carried out door to door inquiries.
They added: ‘We have begun an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of a man by the Metropolitan Police Service earlier this morning in Southwark, south London,’ said a spokesperson for the watchdog.
‘We were notified by the MPS after the incident, which occurred shortly before 5am, and declared an independent investigation at around 6.40am.
‘We have sent investigators to the scene and the police post incident procedure to begin gathering evidence. Our investigation is in its very early stages and we hope to provide an update later today.’
Local councilor Adam Hood expressed his concerns on the incident via X
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan sent out his thoughts to everyone impacted by the incident on social media this morning
Adam Hood, Liberal Democrat councillor for Surrey Docks, said he was ‘deeply concerned’ by the news.
He wrote on social media: ‘Deeply concerned by this news from Bywater Place. Details are still emerging but at this point I’m thankful to the fast response from emergency services.’
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan added: ‘My thoughts are with everyone impacted by this incident.
‘It’s right that the independent IOPC will now investigate the full circumstances. I urge anyone with information to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.’
Fatal police shootings are relatively rare in the UK – there were only three in the year to March 31 2023.
The most recent Met fatality was the death of Giedrius Vasiljevas, 40, who was shot at his home in Dagenham, east London, in November after calling 999 to say he had loaded guns and wanted to take his own life.