A man is in a critical condition after being shot by Metropolitan Police officers during a four-hour armed standoff in Walthamstow. The incident has sparked an investigation into police conduct amid ongoing concerns over firearm-related violence in London.
A man is in a life-threatening condition after being shot by Metropolitan Police officers in a four-hour armed standoff at a property in Walthamstow, northeast London. Police were called at around 10:00 am on Friday to reports that a man inside a home on Stow Crescent was armed with a firearm and making threats to kill. After hours of negotiation, officers entered the property forcibly at approximately 2:00 pm, during which they discharged their weapons and shot the man.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the man was treated at the scene by police medics and the London Ambulance Service before being rushed to hospital. Officers found what they believed to be a gun inside the property. A police spokesperson stated that the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting will form part of an ongoing investigation. The area remains cordoned off, and authorities have assured the public there is no wider threat.
Following the incident, the case was referred to the Directorate of Professional Standards and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which launched an independent investigation into the police's actions. The IOPC confirmed that investigators were sent to the scene and the post-incident procedures to gather evidence, noting that the probe is in its very early stages.
Subsequent reports have clarified that the man, identified as 43-year-old Gheorghe Anitoaie, sustained gunshot wounds to his arms. After receiving hospital treatment, he was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences. Further developments revealed that Anitoaie has been charged with possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
The incident has drawn public and media attention amid broader concerns about violent crime and police use of firearms in London. Walthamstow, in particular, has seen previous high-profile cases of violence, including the 2018 murder of Joseph Williams-Torres, a 20-year-old killed in a mistaken turf war involving rival youth groups.
The current investigation underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing potentially violent individuals while ensuring public safety. The IOPC's independent inquiry will scrutinise whether the use of force by police was justified and proportionate under the circumstances.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area around Stow Crescent while the investigation continues, reiterating that the situation is contained. Police and community leaders will likely be monitoring the case closely, given ongoing concerns about firearm-related threats in the capital.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative reports a police shooting in Walthamstow on 10 October 2025. Similar incidents have occurred in the area, such as the 2013 shooting of a man in Hale End Road ([bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-23775776?utm_source=openai)) and the 2018 murder of Joseph Williams-Torres. However, no earlier reports of this specific incident were found, indicating the content is fresh. The narrative includes updated data, such as the identification of the man as Gheorghe Anitoaie and the charges against him, which justifies a higher freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were noted. The narrative does not appear to be republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The inclusion of updated data suggests a high freshness score. No earlier versions with different figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative does not appear to be based on a press release. No similar content appeared more than 7 days earlier. The update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from a police spokesperson and an IOPC spokesperson. No identical quotes were found in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content. No variations in quote wording were noted. No online matches were found for these quotes, suggesting originality.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Express, a UK-based tabloid newspaper. While it is a reputable organisation, it is known for sensationalist reporting, which may affect the reliability of the information. The narrative does not originate from an obscure or unverifiable source. The person mentioned, Gheorghe Anitoaie, is identified and charged, indicating verifiability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative's claims about the police shooting in Walthamstow are plausible and align with known events. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the incident, which is standard procedure in such cases. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, enhancing its credibility. The language and tone are consistent with UK English and typical news reporting. The structure is focused on the incident without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is serious and appropriate for the subject matter.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative reports a police shooting in Walthamstow on 10 October 2025, with updated data on the incident. While the content appears fresh and includes original quotes, it originates from a tabloid newspaper known for sensationalist reporting, which may affect reliability. The plausibility of the claims is supported by the IOPC's involvement, but the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets is a concern. Given these factors, the overall assessment is OPEN with medium confidence.
