London police fire shots after Ukraine diplomat’s car rammed

Police in London said Saturday they opened fire on a vehicle belonging to a suspect who repeatedly rammed a parked car.

The Ukrainian Embassy in London released a statement saying that a man deliberately used his vehicle to ram their ambassador’s parked car, only to repeat the the action after being confronted by police.

No injuries were reported, and news reports did not indicate that the ambassador was present in the vehicle during the incident, which Ukrainian officials said occurred outside the embassy in London.

“The police were called immediately, and the suspect’s vehicle was blocked up. Nevertheless, despite the police actions, the attacker hit the Ambassador’s car again,” the statement read. “In response, the police were forced to open fire on the perpetrator’s vehicle. The culprit was apprehended and taken to a police station.”

“No one of the Embassy staff were injured. The police are investigating the suspect’s identity and motive for the attack,” the statement added.

London police said in a news release that the suspect attempted to drive the vehicle at police when confronted, prompting the officers to open fire.

“On arrival, the car was driven and was in collision with a number of parked vehicles near the Ukrainian Embassy in Holland Park. As part of the protective security arrangements for London, armed officers were deployed to this incident,” police said.

“On arrival at the scene, a vehicle was driven at police officers,” the statement continued. “Police firearms and Taser were discharged, the vehicle was stopped and a man, aged in his 40s, was arrested.”

“He has been taken to a central London hospital as a precaution,” police concluded. “He was not injured.”

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Chief Superintendent Andy Walker said the police’s use of firearms would be investigated as part of standard protocol while praising officers’ quick response.

Witnesses told told the Evening Standard that at least 10 shots were fired during the incident.

“As is standard procedure, an investigation is now ongoing into the discharge of a police firearm during this incident,” Walker told reporters. “While this takes place, I would like to pay tribute to the officers involved this morning who responded swiftly to this incident and put themselves in harm’s way — as they do every day — to keep the people of London safe.”