Arrest after man fires crossbow and brandishes sword at police

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after firing a crossbow at police and brandishing a sword during an incident in Co Down.

The 40-year-old was detained following the stand-off in Kilkeel which lasted for several hours on Sunday.

Officers discharged plastic baton rounds and a Taser during the incident.

Police were called to the Moorfield Court area at around 9pm after concerned members of the public reported a man in a balaclava armed with a crossbow was in the street threatening residents.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Upon police arrival the suspect had retreated to a nearby house and a prolonged stand-off ensued.

“Throughout a four-hour period both local police and specialist armed response crews were subject to sustained attack from within the property, including being threatened with a large sword and targeted with crossbow bolts which narrowly missed responding officers.

“The use of attenuating energy projectiles (AEPs) and a conducted energy device (CED) were authorised during the police operation and were subsequently deployed to prevent the man from harming himself or anyone else, and to enable police to safely remove him from the house.”

The suspect was detained and placed in police custody.

District Commander Superintendent Lynne Corbett said: “The officers who responded to this incident, both local uniform crews and specialist resources, should be commended for the bravery and professionalism shown in what must have been a frightening situation.

“The ability to hold your nerve, remain calm and prioritise the safety of not only the public but also the suspect, in the face of a continuous potentially life-threatening attack, is something that should not be underestimated.

“The arrested man received appropriate medical review following the incident and will now be questioned on suspicion of a number of extremely serious offences including attempted murder, making threats to kill and possession of an offensive weapon.”

She added: “I would also like to express my thanks to local residents for the co-operation shown whilst we worked to bring the situation to a safe conclusion, and I am appealing to anyone in the local area with information that could assist the police investigation to please get in touch with us.”

The senior officer made an appeal for anyone who had footage of the incident to contact police.

South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe said it was a “horrific and deeply frightening incident for all those living nearby”.

She said: “I am extremely grateful that no-one was physically harmed, but it will undoubtedly have caused significant distress within the local community.

“I have been in contact with constituents who were impacted and have made representations on their behalf.

“People have the fundamental right to feel safe and secure in their own homes, and incidents like this are understandably very unsettling.

“I commend the calm and responsible manner in which local residents responded, and I pay tribute to the PSNI for their swift and professional actions in containing what was a very serious situation.

“It is important now that the justice process is allowed to take its course, and that those affected are supported in the days ahead.”