A police officer was shot at lunchtime today during an operation by the Met’s Trident gang crime unit in Haggerston.
One man was arrested after the incident in Scriven Street at 12.45pm.
Scotland Yard said the police officer was taken to an east London hospital is in a stable condition and is in a ‘stable’ condition.
Business man David Silvester, 28, who owns an importing business, was in his flat in the City Mill Apartments in Clarissa Street where the balcony overlooks the crime scene, when the incident began to unfold.
He told the Gazette: There were armed officers going into the estate, there were undercovers everywhere.
“They were wearing green uniforms and helmets and they came out of the estate, and there was a bunch of shouting and screaming, and right after that you heard a few gunfire.
“Just a few minutes later the whole road was filled with undercovers, they were all scrambling about and a woman got out of the car and was screaming, “He’s been shot, he’s been shot”.”
“He continued: “After that it was mayhem, they were running up and down the roads. “Yes it was dramatic, it was a bit intense for the day. I think it was traumatic for the police as well.
“I grew up in Las Angeles and shootings are quite common there, they seemed quite well prepared here, where I grew up people used to get shot in their car just to take the car to a chop shop.”
In a statement, the Met said: “At about 12.45pm an authorised firearms operation by officers from the Met’s Specialist Firearms Command (SCO19) and Trident Area Crime Command was taking place when a firearm was discharged.
“A male police officer, no further details at this time, has been taken to an east London hospital suffering a gunshot wound, a condition update will follow in due course.
“Next of kin have been informed.”
Two air ambulances landed in the park nearby and a police helicopter is still circling overhead.
Scriven Street is taped off to traffic along with Haggerston Road, Lovelace Street and Clarissa Street.
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