Oxford Shoot-Out Ends 'Peacefully' With Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Attempted Murder

A 24-year-old man is in police custody.
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Police presence near Paradise Square where armed police are locked in a stand-off with a gunman after a shootout in Oxford city centre.
PA Wire/PA Images

An armed siege in Oxford ended “peacefully” on Tuesday with a man being arrested shortly before 3am on suspicion of attempted murder, police have confirmed. 

The incident began on Monday when shots were fired from a residential property in Paradise Square.

Armed response officers returned fire leading to the closure of a number of city streets.

A 24-year-old man is today in police custody and all road closures have been lifted.  

Police earlier said the incident was not being treated as terrorism.

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Press Association

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said that one patient is being assessed and treated for “non-life threatening injuries”.

Armed response officers responded to a report shortly after 1.15pm on Monday that a man had access to a firearm, Thames Valley Police said.

The Westgate Centre is not within the police cordon and remains open as normal.

A woman, who asked not to be named, said she was sat on her balcony when she heard loud bangs, shouting and dogs barking on Monday afternoon.

“After a second round it became apparent these were gunshots so I rushed inside,” she told the Press Association.

“There was a couple more shots, three spurts in total, still a lot of shouting and barking. I heard a man shout ‘show me your hands’ repeatedly.

“The shouting continued and only quieted down an hour later or so, between now and then there have been bursts of shouting, barks and helicopters.

“I’ve heard no more shots since though. The entire area outside my flat is sealed off, and there is a police officer with a dog stationed a few metres from the balcony.”

Janet Borgerson was in the nearby Hotel Malmaison when she heard “explosive cracks” she thought were holiday festivities before another series of “loud bangs”.

“Again, I thought the second round were firecrackers. I noticed hotel bar staff ushering people inside,” she told the Press Association.

Borgerson, who is visiting the city from America, said guests were later told they were “perfectly safe” and allowed to leave the hotel by an armed officer who seemed to indicate he was expecting a siege.

She said: “Because the shooting was directly behind the hotel block in which my room is, I did feel worried that someone with a larger weapon could be a threat.

“But the police were quickly on sight and after 45 minutes or so inside, and then briefed by police, they seemed to have the shooter isolated.

“To the police after a short time, this was definitely a ‘keep calm and carry on’ moment.”

A nearby resident, who did not want to be named, said he first heard two loud bangs early in the morning, but thought it was just Bank Holiday fireworks.

Later that day, he said he witnessed the start of the altercation between an armed man and the police, during which he heard around 20 shots exchanged.

He said: “I was frightened. I saw how easy he got down from his balcony, and I was terrified for a second, thinking he was going to come get me.

“He was shooting from the balcony and then he climbed down the balcony, he was in the gardens and police were kicking the back doors to other gardens trying to get him.

“Then he climbed back up and shot again. And that’s when they shot him in the head I think and in the chest.

“I could hear a female negotiator and an armed response man trying to get him to put his hands up, let go of the gun, keep his hands on show and things like that.”

Superintendent Joe Kidman, Oxford Local Policing Area Commander, said: “People in Oxford will notice an increased police presence in the area while officers are dealing with the incident, which is contained and taking place at a residential property.

“If you have any concerns or wish to raise anything please approach and speak to an officer or call the non-emergency number 101.”

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