Suspect shot dead after mass stabbing in Glasgow
London: A man has been shot dead by police and at least six other people are in hospital after a stabbing attack at a hotel in Glasgow's city centre.
Police shot the suspect during the attack, which occurred shortly after lunchtime on Friday at the Park Inn hotel on West George Street. He died at the scene.
Police remain at the scene of the incident on West George Street in Glasgow.Credit:PA
A police officer who was stabbed during the incident is in hospital in a critical but stable condition. Five other people were also taken to hospital with injuries, police said.
Other people were seen running out of the building with their hands in the air.
Police said the situation was "contained" and there was no further danger to the general public. The incident was not being treated as terrorism, police said, and the investigation was ongoing.
Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said the attack was "truly dreadful".
"My thoughts are with everyone involved. I am being updated as the situation becomes clearer," she said.
One man who was in the hotel when the attack unfolded told the BBC he heard "loud screams".
"I was in my room and I heard loud screams from downstairs," said the witness, identified only as John.
"I heard a woman and a man screaming for help, but I could not see from my window on the third floor but a lot of people were staring towards the hotel.
"I got worried and went to check what was going on. When I opened the lift it was all blood. I went down the stairs and the reception was full of blood."
The Scottish Police Federation tweeted: "We appreciate families of police officers in Glasgow will be anxious to hear that a police officer has been stabbed.
"Please be aware the family of the officer has been notified and is being supported by the service."
Police said there was no ongoing threat to the public following the incident in central Glasgow.Credit:Getty Images
Streets in central Glasgow were sealed off and heavily armed police remained on the scene.
The BBC and other media outlets reported three people had died during the incident, however that has not been confirmed by police. Police have only said that six people - including the police officer - are in hospital "for treatment to their injuries".
"Armed police officers attended the incident and I can confirm that a male suspect was shot by an armed officer," said assistant chief constable Steve Johnson.
"I would like to reassure the public that at this time we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident. I can also confirm that a police officer was injured while dealing with the incident and that officer is receiving treatment in hospital."
Hotels in Scotland have been closed during the coronavirus crisis, however the Park Inn was believed to be housing migrants at the time of the incident.
Three people were killed and three others injured during a mass stabbing in the English town of Reading last Saturday which police have declared a terrorist incident.