News reports have just confirmed that London police have shot and killed a man at Stockwell Tube Station. One eye-witness say;
"I saw an Asian guy run onto the train hotly pursued by three plain-clothes police officers.
"One of them was carrying a black handgun - it looked like an automatic - they pushed him to the floor, bundled on top of him and unloaded five shots into him."
Passenger Briony Coetsee said: "We were on the Tube and then we suddenly heard someone say, 'Get out, get out' and then we heard gunshots."
I am pleased that one of the Jihadists has been despatched to eternity - one down but many more to go!
I'm surprise Ian Blair allows such rough behaviour. We should join hands with these victims of colonial oppression and sim Kum By Ah.
Posted by: EU Serf | July 22, 2005 at 11:21 AM
Hang on a moment David
Police have shot dead a man. That's all we know. Once we KNOW he was a terrorist we can be glad he's dead. Let's not be hasty.
Posted by: Colm | July 22, 2005 at 11:22 AM
I demand a public enquiry. the immediate arrest of whoever fired the shot. and a compensatory sum sent to the Al Queda rest home downtown Leeds.
Posted by: David Vance | July 22, 2005 at 11:35 AM
Don't joke David. It's perfectly possible that if this man turns out NOT to be one of the bomb gang, the police who shot him might face an enquiry and possible disciplnary action.
Posted by: Colm | July 22, 2005 at 11:41 AM
I had dream a few months ago set in an end-game "Night Of The Living Dead" scenario.
Despite all the ghoulish murderous cannibalism and the efforts of the uninfected to defend themselves, both proactively and reactively, at the end of the dream the Zombies were picketing the Living with placards demanding their Civil Rights.
Posted by: Ultonian Scottis American | July 22, 2005 at 11:54 AM
Colm,
I bet he was a homocide bomber - I trust our Police to get their man despite the politicians!
Posted by: David Vance | July 22, 2005 at 01:44 PM
I'm taking the view that the truth has to be waited for. News conference delayed until 2.45 at the earliest. Ongoing enquiries are cited for the delay.
There's a lot of dwelling on one outcome or the other. The truth is we don't yet know one way or the other!
If this is a mistaken shooting, it is bad news for London. Yesterday, a small group of fanatics tried to kill innocent people regardless of their politics, religion etc. Like them or not, the cops are the last line of defence. Precipitive action is not what they or anyone else living need to the face of such a ruthless onslaught!
If this was a suicide bomber, 1) this means there are 3 others who won't wait five minutes to try to kill in numbers and 2) it means the cops in question were sat on a bomb as well as a man determined to kill many, many innocent people. And that's the opposite of what many people are indecently ready to accuse them of!
Personally, I'm waiting for 2.45 at the earliest before I begin to form a view.
Posted by: Mick | July 22, 2005 at 01:57 PM
David,
Colm is right, at least wait until we are sure the police got the right man. I hope they did but hold you applause until we are certain.
Posted by: decent ulster unionist | July 22, 2005 at 01:59 PM
Even if it turns out that he wasn't a bomber I don't think anyone can blame the police for the action they took.
It's an unfortunate situation we are now in (particularly for genuinely innocent young asian/arab looking men) but in the event of innocent people being shot by the police in situations similaar to this morning everyone should remember to lay the blame squarely where it belongs. On the maniacs who have brought us to this situation.
Posted by: Colm | July 22, 2005 at 02:18 PM
David, I have to agree with Colm on this one, I just hope they have the right guy.
Posted by: Snafu | July 22, 2005 at 02:43 PM
Colm,
Fully agree with what you and Mick say.
Posted by: David Vance | July 22, 2005 at 02:49 PM
Although I agree with the sentiments about jumping to conclusions [sound of throat clearing], if armed policemen have asked me to stop whatever I was doing and drop to the ground, no amount of panic is going to make me want to take the trouble to run away from them. But then, I grew up in the States, we're used to armed cops and generally ask how high when they tell us to jump. A bit naive of me, I guess.
Posted by: James | July 22, 2005 at 03:02 PM
I still think he is a Jihadist though!
Posted by: David Vance | July 22, 2005 at 03:24 PM
Well press conferance concluded. The great multiculturist Ian Blair did say that the man killed by police in the subway was connected to the bombings.
Posted by: The Troll | July 22, 2005 at 04:40 PM
the police who shot him might face an enquiry and possible disciplnary action
Masterful understatement! The police will be painted as more evil than the bombers.
Even troops facing imminent death are not allowed to go round shooting people.
Posted by: will | July 22, 2005 at 05:45 PM
"Even troops facing imminent death are not allowed to go round shooting people."
Unless they are wearing a 'bomb belt with wires coming out'. This according to a witness to the shooting.
A bomb belt with wires coming out. Hmmmmmmm. Sounds to me like they got ANOTHER jihadist David. Just in the nick of time, too.
Posted by: Monica-Philadelphia | July 22, 2005 at 05:51 PM
I have heard that the police say that the man killed was DIRECTLY linked to their ongoing operation. Whether he was one of yesterday's four or not, he was a Jihadist and he got what he deserved. This is a war.
Posted by: David Vance | July 22, 2005 at 05:53 PM
Already some of the London WWW messageboards are buzzing with lots of people complaining about the police shooting this man and with demands for answers.
Now I am not usually the most gung ho of people but can't these complainants realise circumstances have changed. I don't want to see any innocent individuals shot by the police but difficult though that may be to contend with it's a hell of a lot more preferable than to see hesitation leading to a massacre that could have been prevented.
Now more than ever , if your told by the police to STOP - you STOP!
Posted by: Colm | July 22, 2005 at 06:01 PM
Colm,
Quite agree with you. When you're told to stop, you stop.
Posted by: David Vance | July 22, 2005 at 06:18 PM
Well at least the police on the beat are taking this problem a lot more seriuos than there chif is.
Whether it was or wasn't a clean shoot these poor cops will be barbicude by the press
Posted by: The Troll | July 22, 2005 at 06:21 PM
Troll
I don't think they will not this time. there will be huge understanding of why they shot to kill. The public mood will not tolerate press attacks on these officers.
Posted by: Colm | July 22, 2005 at 06:27 PM
God I hope your correct. Let us Know.
Posted by: The Troll | July 22, 2005 at 06:34 PM
Utterly amazing that someone who has recently lost a family member today glories in the death of someone else.
If my worst enemy was killed in the aftermath of a close family bereavement I culd not find it in my heart to think or write the thoughts written here.
Posted by: | July 22, 2005 at 07:19 PM
Not sure who the anonymous contributor was but those policemen who killed this terrorist on the Underground have saved many lives in London and in that I delight. If some sad Jihadist has to die, so be it. As for your reference to my own recent bereavement, you're just utterly pathetic. Learn to fill in your name and how to spell.
Posted by: David Vance | July 22, 2005 at 07:28 PM
Why is it when people that write stupid statements like the one above always forget to post their name?
The scarry part is that someone can equate the naturall death of a loving mother/grandmother to the justified killing of an animal terrorist. Sounds like they have the qualifications to run for office.
Posted by: The Troll | July 22, 2005 at 07:30 PM