UK Cops Murdered, Raising Questions About Whether to Arm Them
Murdered in cold blood in the line of duty.
There is shock and outrage on the streets of Manchester, England today after news that two female police officers with the Greater Manchester Police have been shot and killed.
The two officers, like the vast majority of UK police, were unarmed and were shot suffering fatal injuries during a routine operation in the Tameside, Hattersley area of the city.
It is understood that the officers were answering an emergency 999 (911) call and were faced with a dangerous and deadly situation. Witnesses reported hearing 10 to 13 gunshots in Abbey Gardens before a sizable explosion occurred.
The witness told the media that the property the officers were called to had been unoccupied for some months, with painted out windows. "I heard about 10 shots quite close bang, bang, bang like that. I knew they were gunshots because sometimes there is clay pigeon shooting in the fields.” he said. The witness went on to say, "I heard a big explosion about 10 seconds after the shots. I got off the ladder, walked round, saw an empty police car. A car went speeding past to the main road."
Garry Shewan, the Assistant Chief Constable said it was "a tragic day" for Greater Manchester Police. "A long and dark shadow has been cast across Greater Manchester and my thoughts are with the officers' families, friends and colleagues. We will be doing everything we can to support them over the coming days and weeks." The two officers were named just before 4pm local time after family members had been informed. They were Fiona Bone, aged 32 and Nicola Hughes aged 23.
UK Home Secretary Theresa May issued a statement saying, "This is a deeply shocking incident and a terrible reminder of the risks that police officers face every day to keep our communities safe."
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