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Hundreds have been evacuated from Oxford Circus as reports of an active shooter broke out. There have also been reports of shots fired and shoppers being locked into stores on Oxford Street in London, one of Britain’s most famous shopping area. Panic initially erupted on Oxford Street at around 5 P.M. after gunshots were reportedly heard in or around the Underground station. As of 5:40 P.M. (local time) police have not found evidence of shots fired or causalities. One woman reportedly suffered minor injuries as a direct result of the incident.
Armed police have arrived on the scene and are investigating the incident.
Greg Bird spoke with MailOnline and told them that he was sitting at a coffee shop near Oxford Circus station when he witnessed “about 50 people sprinting around the corner and screaming.”
One witness said that a man with a gun walked into Zara on Oxford Street and “everyone was screaming.” The witness, along with other shoppers, were led out of the store.
London’s Metropolitan Police said: ‘Police were called at 16:38hrs on Friday, 24 November to a number of reports of shots fired on Oxford Street and underground at Oxford Circus tube station.
The area is currently under lockdown during one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Thousands of shoppers came out to the area today for Black Friday. Hundreds were forced back into stores as reports of an active shooter broke out. Police are searching the area for the alleged Black Friday shooter.
Dan Smallbone wrote on Twitter: “There is a lorry stopped on the pavement in Oxford Street, police all around it and blood on the floor, it’s definitely the aftermath of something maybe just a crash but nothing on the news.”
David Allwood was also on the scene when shoppers were locked into stores following reports of “shots fired.”
Allwood said, “On Oxford Street and it’s chaos. Shutters closed in Boots while they find out what is happening outside. Not Black Friday chaos. Rumours of shooting and a lorry.”
The British Transport Police tweeted out that they’ve “received one report of a woman sustaining a minor injury when leaving Oxford Circus station. There are no other reported casualties. More updates to follow.”
Transport for London wrote on Twitter: “Oxford Circus Station is closed while we investigate a customer incident.”
MailOnline journalist Keiligh Baker was reportedly on the scene when the incident unfolded.
She was walking towards Carnaby Street from Oxford Street when “Lots of armed police arrived and stormed Oxford Street. They were shouting “move, move, move!” Then the uniformed officers started shouting “go, go, go”. People were sprinting and screaming.”
Update: Oxford Circus Station has officially been reopened to the public.
What Happened?
Gunshots were heard in or around the Underground station at around 5 P.M. (local time), resulting in mass panic and a heavy armed police presence. Witness Ryan Smith was working in a building on the corner of Great Titchfield Street and Oxford Street and saw the chaos unfold firsthand. Smith said, “It was just like a stampede – there were thousands of people running down the street. They started flocking into the building.”
According to British Transport Police, panic ensued after the Central Line platform of Circus Station was evacuated. A spokesperson for the department said, “At 4.37pm this afternoon, officers were called to Oxford Circus station following reports of gunfire on the westbound Central Line platform. Passengers at the station then self-evacuated the station onto Oxford Circus and Regent Street area of London. This caused a significant level of panic which resulted in numerous calls from members of the public reporting gunfire. Officers responded in line with our procedures of a terrorist incident, this included armed officers from British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police.”
One woman reportedly suffered minor injuries in the melee.
At this moment, police have not found any evidence of a shooting.
At 5:40 P.M. (local time), a police statement was released, which said, “To date police have not located any trace of any suspects, evidence of shots fired or causalities. Officers continue to work with colleagues from British Transport Police in the area of Oxford Circus.”
Check back for more updates as this breaking story develops…
Was the Oxford Circus Incident a Terrorist Attack?
Police are currently investigating whether or not this is a terrorist attack.
The London Metropolitan Police said, “Police have responded as if the incident is terrorist related. Armed and unarmed officers are on scene and dealing along with colleagues from British Transport Police.If you are on Oxford Street go into a building and stay inside until further direction. Avoid traveling to the Oxford Street area. At this stage police have not located any causalities.”
At 5:40 P.M. (local time), a police statement was released, which said, “To date police have not located any trace of any suspects, evidence of shots fired or causalities. Officers continue to work with colleagues from British Transport Police in the area of Oxford Circus.”
