'MURDER' HORROR
Three people found dead at Luton flat as teen ‘known to them’ arrested over ‘murder’ after cops find ‘firearm’ nearby
Cops have given an update this afternoon - watch above
THREE people have been found dead in a flat with a teenager "known to them" arrested after cops recovered a "firearm" nearby.
Cops rushed to reports of concerns for welfare at a flat within a tower block in Luton at around 5.30am on Friday.
7
7
7
7
7
Three people were found "very badly injured" at the scene and were pronounced dead a short time later.
On Friday evening, Bedfordshire Police said officers had recovered a firearm from nearby Bramingham Road.
A statement added that the force believed all those involved were “known to each other”.
Neighbours said they heard "bangs" at the scene following the "appalling" attack.
read more uk news
It is not yet known how the three victims died.
An 18-year-old was arrested shortly after in nearby Bramingham Road and remains in custody for questioning.
Police believe there is no threat to the wider community have said “at this stage we are not looking for anybody else”.
Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy also said searches in the area had resulted in the “recovery of a weapon”.
Most read in The Sun
A neighbour, speaking to , said: "I thought I heard some bangs, at about quarter to six. But I thought it was car backfiring."
Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy told a press briefing outside the force's HQ in Kempston this afternoon that a weapon had been found during searches in the area.
He didn't expand on what kind of weapon was recovered.
Did you witness this incident? Email [email protected]
Mr Murphy added that details such as age or sex of the victims will not be released to the public until next-of-kin have been contacted.
Asked about a police cordon outside, Mr Murphy said the incident itself took place entirely within the block of flats.
"There is a slightly wider search that was completed in order to locate and arrest the suspect," he said.
"The area which has been cordoned in the wider area is likely to be the place where that arrest was made."
An increased police presence will remain in the Marsh Farm area.
Mr Murphy said officers were called in response to a "report of a disturbance called into us by a member of the public".
"Officers deployed to the address concerned immediately and sadly upon arrival we found three people who had been very badly injured," he said.
"Sadly all of those three people were subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.
"We've immediately launched a murder investigation, deploying officers from our specialist crime team within our major crime unit.
"As a result of the inquiries that we've completed this morning at a very early stage we've been able to identify and arrest an individual."
ARMED OFFICERS
Armed officers had earlier been seen in balaclavas in a green space near the scene.
Davy Bridgestock, who lives in the block with his family, told : "I woke up to my boys screaming in the morning. Looking out the window I saw police everywhere.
"I didn't know what to do, whether to leave the block of flats or not.
"It's pretty scary when you have kids in a block of flats."
Speaking to ITV, Mr Bridgestock added: "I didn't know what to think, I went out to check on them and looked out the window, and saw armed police everywhere, balaclavas even had the guns... we didn't know what to do... it was very frightening."
Another resident, Mia, added: "It's very gut-wrenching to hear something like that happen on your doorstep; it's not nice at all."
One witness said on Facebook: "Raid van turned up with more officers, over 12 police cars there this morning with at least three ambulances."
We understand this news will be incredibly shocking, but please be assured we will work tirelessly to establish the full circumstances surrounding these deaths.
Detective Superintendent Rob Hall
Detective Superintendent Rob Hall said earlier: “This is a truly appalling incident which has sadly resulted in the tragic deaths of three people.
"We understand this news will be incredibly shocking, but please be assured we will work tirelessly to establish the full circumstances surrounding these deaths.
“One man has been arrested in connection with the incident and we do not believe there is any threat to the wider community.
Read More on The Sun
"However, we appreciate people will be concerned, so there will be an increased presence of community police officers in and around the area today and over the coming days to answer questions and provide reassurance.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting Operation Longacre.
7
7
Topics