Glasgow stabbing incident not being treated as terrorism

A major incident in Glasgow in which a suspect was shot dead and six people injured is not being treated as terrorism by police.

Police Scotland said a male suspect was shot by an armed unit and an officer is in a critical but stable condition.

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) confirmed a male officer had been stabbed and his family has been informed.

All six injured people, including the officer, are being treated in hospital.

Police said there is no danger to the public, with officers in attendance in West George Street in the city centre on Friday afternoon, and it is not being treated as a terror incident.

Images on social media appeared to show armed police entering a building and a large number of emergency vehicles outside.

The incident happened at the Park Inn Hotel in West George Street.

A spokeswoman for campaign group Positive Action In Housing said the 91-room hotel was housing asylum seekers for the Mears Group, which moved them there during the coronavirus lockdown.

The organisation has declined to comment on the situation.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "First and foremost, my thoughts are with all those people who have been caught up in this terrible incident, particularly the six injured people taken to hospital for treatment, as well as residents and staff at the hotel.

"I also want to thank all of those police officers whose quick and decisive actions contained the incident – one of whom was among those taken to hospital – as well as the work of the other emergency services."

She added: "The Justice Secretary and I have been kept informed through the afternoon and briefed by the chief constable.

"While such a serious incident is rare in Scotland, it is another reminder of the courage and professionalism of our police officers who are willing to run towards danger in order to protect the lives of others.

"Clearly there is already much speculation around this incident, which remains under investigation.

"I would urge everyone to avoid such speculation, to not share potentially harmful or upsetting material on social media and to follow police advice while investigations are under way."

David Hamilton, SPF chairman, said of the injured officer: "I understand that he's been stabbed and that he's in a critical but stable condition.

"I think it's just horrific, this is what you dread as a police officer going into a scene like this.

"It's something that police officers have to do, we have to walk into danger."

He added: "It's pretty clear that the circumstances they have been met with were really pretty horrific and what they would have had to deal with has been exceptionally brave in terms of their actions thereafter."

"Our thoughts, prayers, and best wishes are with our colleague, his family and friends, and all colleagues affected by this incident at this time."

One witness, who gave his name as John, told the PA news agency he saw two people stabbed in the hotel.

He said he came down from the third floor of the hotel to see the reception covered in blood.

"One receptionist had been stabbed behind the receptionist desk," he said.

"And then when I went down to the entrance I shouted at him and told him to stay calm and I will call for help

"When I went to the entrance I saw another receptionist was fighting for his life and had been stabbed.

"There were two police officers there assisting him."

Witness Craig Milroy, who saw the aftermath of the incident from an office building nearby, said he had seen four people taken away in ambulances.

He told the PA news agency: "I saw a man lying on the ground, of African descent, with no shoes on.

"He was on the ground with someone holding his side – I don't know if it was a bullet wound, a stab wound, or what it was."

Mr Milroy said the man was one of the four taken away by medics and believed him to be a victim of an attack.

He added: "After that we saw commotion, ambulances further up and we saw armed police all running into the hotel next to the Society Room."

A Home Office spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident at West George Street in Glasgow, which is currently being investigated by the police."

Tom Flanagan Kartunnen, of the Radisson Hotel Group, said: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic event that happened today on West George Street in Glasgow.

"During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the hotel has been occupied for temporary housing."

He added: "We are working with the hotel owner and all the relevant local authorities, including Police Scotland, to support the investigation."