Heathrow gun death inquiry begins

Police have sealed off the scene of the shooting

An investigation has begun into a shoot-out with police near Heathrow airport which ended with the death of a man.

Scotland Yard said a man pointed a gun at officers after a routine police patrol stopped a car on the A4 near the British Airways headquarters at Colnbrook, Berkshire.

Shots were fired and the man was fatally injured.

Police say there is nothing at this stage to suggest the incident was terrorist related.

The man, who is described as white, died at 1734 BST in hospital.

An investigation, overseen by the Police Complaints Authority, has begun.

Scotland Yard said the man had been spotted by a police dog handler who was routinely observing passing traffic.

Investigation

He tried to flag down the driver to speak to him but he refused to stop and pulled out a gun.

The dog handler called for armed assistance and officers from Heathrow Police arrived at the scene.

They got out of their vehicle to be confronted by the armed man, who was shot.

It has not yet been confirmed whether the suspect fired any shots or how many gunshot wounds he received.

Police have not revealed his identity until his relatives have been informed. It is also not clear what first raised the patrol officer's suspicions.

The shooting was near BA's HQ in Colnbrook

A firearm recovered from the scene is undergoing a forensic examination.

Commander Phil Gormley, leading the Metropolitan Police investigation into the incident, said an unidentified weapon was recovered from the scene.

"What we know is that the individual was alone in the vehicle, as to why he was there and any links with other people remains to be discovered," he said.

All officers present have been debriefed and the armed officers involved have been taken off firearm duties, as is standard.

Road traffic

A spokesman for Heathrow said the airport had not been affected by the incident and flights were continuing as normal.

But roads near the airport have been sealed off and traffic has been badly affected.

About 50 police officers were at the scene following the incident.

Security at the airport was increased in February amid fears it might be the target of terrorists.