Reported Hostage Situation Prompts Shutdown in Central London
By FoxNews.com
DEVELOPING: British police responding to reports of a hostage situation have cordoned off a key road in central London on Friday, Fox News confirms.
Emergency vehicles and personnel could be seen responding to the scene near Tottenham Court Road.
Witnesses said a man allegedly claimed to have a bomb strapped to him as he entered the building at around 12:00 p.m. local time, and there were reports of gas canisters seen strapped to his body, Sky News reports.
Police have identified the suspect as 50-year-old Michael Green, who they say has a grudge against someone.
A trained hostage negotiator has arrived at the scene, Metropolitan Police confirm to SkyNews.
Explosive experts were called to the scene and police say police snipers have been deployed to the rooftop of a nearby building, SkyNews reports.
Green is on the fifth floor of an office building can be seen throwing objects such as computers and filing cabinets out of a window.
He has taken four people hostage, the news station reports.
At least four people were seen leaving the office with their hands in the air. It was not known if they were hostages or how many other people still remain inside the building, Sky News reports.
Police will not confirm to SkyNews reports that Green was recently denied by a business in the building for a heavy trucking license. They say the incident is not terrorist related.
