SIEGE ARREST
Man, 24, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after ‘shooting at cops’ during 16-hour Oxford siege
Armed police were engaged in an 16-hour siege with a shooter in Oxford
A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a 16-hour armed siege in Oxford.
Armed cops and negotiators swarmed a house in the historic city after reports a gunman had shot at officers.
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Today cops said the situation had been resolved "peacefully" and that a suspect was in custody.
A Thames Valley Police Spokesman added: "Shortly before 3am a 24-year-old man from Oxford was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He is currently in police custody."
The drama began just after 1pm on Monday when emergency crews were called to reports of gunfire.
A resident, who did not want to be named, said he first heard two loud bangs early in the morning, but thought it was just Bank Holiday fireworks.
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Later that day, he claimed he witnessed the start of the altercation between an armed man and the police, when he heard around 20 shots exchanged.
He said: "I was frightened.
"I could hear a female negotiator and an armed response man trying to get him to put his hands up."
The resident said he heard a man repeating that he needed medical treatment, before getting "really angry, shouting, roaring at them (the police)".
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A woman, who asked not to be named, said the gunfire was "scary", but added the incident became "almost surreal" as the siege went on.
She was sat on her balcony when she heard loud bangs, shouting and dogs barking on Monday afternoon.
"After a second round it became apparent these were gunshots so I rushed inside."
"There was a couple more shots, three spurts in total, still a lot of shouting and barking. I heard a man shout 'show me your hands' repeatedly.
"The shouting continued and only quietened down an hour later or so, between now and then there have been bursts of shouting, barks and helicopters.
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"I've heard no more shots since though. The entire area outside my flat is sealed off, and there is a police officer with a dog stationed a few metres from the balcony."
Janet Borgerson was in the nearby Hotel Malmaison when she heard "explosive cracks" she thought were holiday festivities before another series of "loud bangs".
"Again, I thought the second round were firecrackers. I noticed hotel bar staff ushering people inside."
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Ms Borgerson, who is visiting the city from the US, said guests were later told by an armed officer that they were "perfectly safe" and allowed to leave the hotel.
"Because the shooting was directly behind the hotel block in which my room is I did feel worried that someone with a larger weapon could be a threat.
"But the police were quickly on site and after 45 minutes or so inside, and then briefed by police, they seemed to have the shooter isolated," she said.
"To the police after a short time, this was definitely a 'keep calm and carry on' moment."
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