Moment cop aims gun at suspect after ‘group of men were seen in car with firearm’
GUN cops called into action after 'crazy situation' in east London
THIS is the dramatic moment armed cops detain a man after a car reportedly carrying a gun was involved in a shocking crash in east London.
A huge police operation was launched in Burdett Road, Mile End, at around 5pm after a car being pursued by armed cops was involved in the crash.
Police were called to reports men were seen with a gun inside a car at around 4.50pm.
Witnesses described a "crazy situation" as armed officers descended on foot while police helicopters circled overhead during a search for the suspects.
The Met Police - on high alert over the terror threat - said the car failed to stop and then smashed into another vehicle.
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The occupants abandoned the car and attempted to flee the scene.
Cops then launched a manhunt and eventually detained the three suspected occupants from the car.
Road closures have been put in place with busses diverted from the scene.
Photographs taken at the scene show a man on the floor with his arms outstretched with an armed officer over him.
Stunned bystanders said police chased one man into Mile End Park Leisure Centre off Burdett Road.
Trainee solicitor Can Ozkutan, 27, from Mile End, was on his way to the gym when the dramatic incident unfolded.
He told the Standard: “I was talking to a friend outside the gym when I heard lots of shouting round the corner.
“We looked round and the police officer had one guy down on the floor and was pointing a gun at his head and shouting at him not to move.
“Then there was a another guy who ran off around the stadium and another that ran into the gym, straight past us.
“Police ran into the gym after the guy and that is when they got a sniffer dog and a police helicopter to try and find him.”
Mr Ozkutan said he was kept in the gym for half-an-hour while armed police hunted the suspect.
A police spokesman said: "Police were called regarding males in a car seen with a firearm.
"This car failed to stop for police.
"In Burdett Road, this car was in collision with another vehicle.
"The occupants abandoned the car and attempted to flee the scene.
"Armed officers detained three suspected occupants from the car."