Horrifying details of the terrifying incident that saw an armed crossbowman shot dead by police in Rotherhithe have been released by the police watchdog.
Convicted stalker Bryce Hodgson, from Sheffield, swung a sword at officers as his terrified victims barricaded themselves in their home, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has said.
The 30-year-old was killed after being shot in the neck and chest by police in the quiet Bywater Place cul-de-sac on Tuesday, January 30.
The IOPC is investigating the incident as it does whenever somebody dies following or during police contact.
Police were called to the scene at 5am on January 30 after receiving reports of a man armed with several weapons threatening people inside the address.
They forced entry into the property where Hodgson was trying to break through an internal door, the police watchdog said.
The IOPC investigation has found Hodgson was carrying weapons including tools and three crossbows.
The police watchdog said that “Mr Hodgson had entered the property via the back door and was trying to get into a bedroom in the house where the residents at the property had barricaded themselves in”.
It continued: “He was instructed to ‘show his hands’ by officers who challenged him with a Taser, which was not discharged.
“When Mr Hodgson failed to comply and swung the sword at officers, they withdrew and requested assistance.”
Officers on the scene were then joined by armed support and firearms officers entered the property at 5.15am.
The IOPC said officers’ accounts that Mr Hodgson pointed a crossbow at an officer, were “supported by the audio from the body worn video”.
One officer then fired two shots, hitting Hodgson in his neck and his chest, the investigation has found.
Officers immediately secured the weapons, began first aid and called an ambulance but Mr Hodgson was, sadly, declared dead at 5.37am.
Hodgson had been handed a sixteen-week suspended jail term in July and put under supervision for twelve months after admitting stalking.
IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: “I send my condolences to the family and friends of Bryce Hodgson and all those present or affected by this tragic incident, including the occupants of the property and officers involved.
“The evidence gathered to date supports the officers’ accounts that they perceived there to be an immediate and serious threat to the occupants inside the house.
“The officers, who were presented with a dynamic situation, acted swiftly to gain entry into the house to prevent any further harm to the residents.”
As part of its investigation, the watchdog added it would “also examine any contact the MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] had with Mr Hodgson following his conviction for stalking in June 2023”.
The IOPC said it had met Hodgson’s family and expected its investigation to finish this summer.