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Nuneaton bowling alley siege: Man arrested | Nuneaton bowling alley siege: Man arrested |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A suspected gunman was arrested after police ended a four-hour siege at a bowling alley in Nuneaton. | A suspected gunman was arrested after police ended a four-hour siege at a bowling alley in Nuneaton. |
Officers were called to MFA Bowl, in Bermuda Park, at around 14:30 BST on Sunday after reports a man with a shotgun had taken two hostages. | Officers were called to MFA Bowl, in Bermuda Park, at around 14:30 BST on Sunday after reports a man with a shotgun had taken two hostages. |
A man was arrested after police stormed the building amid a series of flash bangs at about 18:30 BST. | A man was arrested after police stormed the building amid a series of flash bangs at about 18:30 BST. |
The suspect was treated at the scene, while two other men were uninjured, West Midlands Ambulance Service said. | |
Ch Supt Alex Franklin-Smith, from Warwickshire Police, said officers brought the incident to "a peaceful resolution". | Ch Supt Alex Franklin-Smith, from Warwickshire Police, said officers brought the incident to "a peaceful resolution". |
The siege was "unconnected" to terrorism, he added. | The siege was "unconnected" to terrorism, he added. |
The gunman reportedly walked into MFA Bowl and yelled "game over" before ordering people to get out. | The gunman reportedly walked into MFA Bowl and yelled "game over" before ordering people to get out. |
About 40 or 50 people were said to be inside the complex at the time. | About 40 or 50 people were said to be inside the complex at the time. |
Both of the hostages - a duty manager and a bowling lane host - were unharmed but treated for shock. | Both of the hostages - a duty manager and a bowling lane host - were unharmed but treated for shock. |
Chris Clegg, operations director of MFA Bowl, said: "It's obviously not an everyday situation. The ambulance, police were checking them and making sure they were OK." | Chris Clegg, operations director of MFA Bowl, said: "It's obviously not an everyday situation. The ambulance, police were checking them and making sure they were OK." |
The firm's chief executive Mehdi Amshar said he understood the man was known to a member of staff at the bowling alley. | The firm's chief executive Mehdi Amshar said he understood the man was known to a member of staff at the bowling alley. |
Specialist firearms officers and police negotiators were sent to the scene, and used flash bangs - which create a loud noise and bright light - to enter the premises. | Specialist firearms officers and police negotiators were sent to the scene, and used flash bangs - which create a loud noise and bright light - to enter the premises. |
Warwickshire Police said officers were called to reports of a man - described by eyewitnesses as "in his 40s" with a gun "slung" over his shoulder - with a firearm at 14:30 BST. | Warwickshire Police said officers were called to reports of a man - described by eyewitnesses as "in his 40s" with a gun "slung" over his shoulder - with a firearm at 14:30 BST. |
One witness, Chris Turner, told the BBC he was walking past the front entrance to the bowling alley when the man "ran up to the door". | One witness, Chris Turner, told the BBC he was walking past the front entrance to the bowling alley when the man "ran up to the door". |
He had "a gun in his hand" and told him to "get out of the area", he said. | He had "a gun in his hand" and told him to "get out of the area", he said. |
Mr Turner said the man shouted at a crowd of people outside to leave, saying: "I've already told you once." | Mr Turner said the man shouted at a crowd of people outside to leave, saying: "I've already told you once." |
Eyewitnesses also spoke about how they fled the bowling alley, while others hid in toilets, as the gunman brandished a weapon above his head. | Eyewitnesses also spoke about how they fled the bowling alley, while others hid in toilets, as the gunman brandished a weapon above his head. |
Alex Mulholland said he was bowling when he looked up to see a man holding a gun over his head. | Alex Mulholland said he was bowling when he looked up to see a man holding a gun over his head. |
"He was saying 'game over, game over', everyone was shouting, screaming, panicking, trying to get out and I didn't know what to make of it, really," he said. "I ran, got my things as quickly as I could and got out of there." | "He was saying 'game over, game over', everyone was shouting, screaming, panicking, trying to get out and I didn't know what to make of it, really," he said. "I ran, got my things as quickly as I could and got out of there." |
Other businesses in the leisure park, including a children's soft play centre and restaurants, were put into lockdown. | Other businesses in the leisure park, including a children's soft play centre and restaurants, were put into lockdown. |
Families inside the soft play centre told the BBC they barricaded the front door with tables and chairs. | Families inside the soft play centre told the BBC they barricaded the front door with tables and chairs. |
Kelly Perrett, who was at the Frankie and Benny's restaurant, told the BBC she was "hiding in the toilet with about 20 people". | Kelly Perrett, who was at the Frankie and Benny's restaurant, told the BBC she was "hiding in the toilet with about 20 people". |
"It looks like police have got the bowling alley surrounded. The police told me that the gunman is near the door with a hostage," she said as the incident unfolded. | "It looks like police have got the bowling alley surrounded. The police told me that the gunman is near the door with a hostage," she said as the incident unfolded. |
Megan Westward said she was about to leave a children's soft play centre when staff told her to move away from the windows. | Megan Westward said she was about to leave a children's soft play centre when staff told her to move away from the windows. |
"There are quite a few bullet proof vans," she said. "We've just seen an air ambulance take off, there are ambulances and there are police in full body suits with guns." | "There are quite a few bullet proof vans," she said. "We've just seen an air ambulance take off, there are ambulances and there are police in full body suits with guns." |
She was then evacuated to a nearby hotel. | She was then evacuated to a nearby hotel. |
Following the conclusion of the siege, forensics officers were examining the scene and a red Peugeot 307 car was removed by police on the back of a vehicle transporter. | Following the conclusion of the siege, forensics officers were examining the scene and a red Peugeot 307 car was removed by police on the back of a vehicle transporter. |
Bermuda Park includes a Holiday Inn Express hotel, a gym, a DIY store, a soft play centre and several restaurants. | Bermuda Park includes a Holiday Inn Express hotel, a gym, a DIY store, a soft play centre and several restaurants. |
Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so, share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so, share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |