Gunman shoots himself dead after 16-hour police stand-off

Paramedics spent more than three hours trying to save the man after at least one shot was fired on Leagrave Common in Luton, Bedfordshire.

Witnesses said the man was holding a sawn-off shotgun to his chin before the blast rang out shortly before midday.

Bedfordshire Police said one marksman may have also discharged a shot during the confrontation.

A spokesman said the man was pronounced dead by doctors at the scene some time after 3pm.

He said: "We confirm that the man involved in the shooting incident in the Sundon Park Road area of Luton today has been pronounced dead after being treated at the scene.

"It would appear at this time the man discharged a weapon on himself. A shotgun has been recovered at the scene and it appears that it was in his possession at the time.

"The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and Bedfordshire Police are co-operating fully."

Armed police were called to the area after a member of the public dialled 999 to report a man with a gun on Sunday night.

They found a man, who is believed to be in his 30s, walking across Leagrave Common, which includes several football pitches, at about 8.30pm.

The armed officers were joined by dog handlers and specialist negotiators as a stand-off took place and continued through the night as the large open space was closed off to the public.

The gunman, who was wearing dirty jeans, a hooded top, cap and scarf, was seen walking around with a gun held to his chin.

Witnesses said he also spent some time sitting down cross-legged with the butt of the gun in his lap and the muzzle against his head.

It appeared police brought him a McDonald's takeaway at some stage during the negotiations.

A large police cordon remained in place around the park last night.

Between 15 and 20 police, including armed officers and specialist negotiators, worked through the night at the stand-off.

At dawn he could be seen sitting on the grass in the middle of a football pitch as members of the public arrived at the park to walk their dogs.

The siege came to an end when the man was told by a police negotiator to walk towards a mobile phone when he suddenly sat down in the middle of the football pitch.

His hand moved towards the gun he was holding and a shot rang out.

The man slumped back on the ground as teams of armed police ran towards him.

Paramedics moved in to work on him and a screen was put up but his life could not be saved.

One woman, who did not want to be named, said she had been told by police officers that the man was upset after being told by his girlfriend that he could not see his children.

"I could see what's going on from my back garden. He was telling officers he won't budge and is prepared to stay there for the next two days," she added.

Gary Sanderson of East of England Ambulance Service said: "Sadly, after everyone's best efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Our thoughts are with his family at this tragic time."

Ambulance crews from Luton, a paramedic from a specialist "hazardous area" team and the Hertfordshire Air Ambulance attended the shooting.