Downley residents on crossbow police shooting near Wycombe

At around 8pm on Friday, May 10, officers from Thames Valley Police descended to School Close in the village after it was reported that a man in his 60s had been stabbed.

Later that evening, a 54-year-old man was seen running down the street with a crossbow, which he fired at an officer.

Only residents are able to go beyond the cordon (Image: NQ)

The man in question was later shot by police and taken to hospital with ‘potentially life-changing injuries’.

He has since been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Following the incident, numerous residents spoke about their concerns, including Darren and Taryn Fourie.

The two, from South Africa, have lived in the village for three years and admitted they were ‘concerned’ for their children’s welfare.

Taryn told the Free Press: “We were driving up the road as it was happening.

Forensics are at the scene (Image: NQ)

“Riot police were here along with the SWAT team and they started screaming at us to ‘go back’ and my poor child was in the car with me.

“She started screaming, crying and shaking.

“We drove back and waited where we heard two gunshots so it was very scary.”

It has been alleged that there was a separate incident between two people along the same street just a day or so before the events on May 10 unfolded.

This disturbance was also attended by the police. 

Blood was smeared on one of the doors (Image: NQ)

At the time of writing, the road is still closed off to members of the public, with only residents being allowed to enter.

Taryn continued: “There was an argument between two of the neighbours and the police were where too a day or so before.

“But when it all happened on Friday night, my older girls were playing in the community centre nearby.

“The police approached them and asked where they lived, and when they said along this road, they told them that they couldn’t go down here.

"They were told they had to go all the way round to a friend’s house.

“My middle child was in tears as they heard the gunshots too.

“Lots of kids were in the park and they were told to leave straight away and go into nearby houses.

“Everything was all blocked off so we had to wait – both children and parents as the community centre was in lockdown.

It's not known how long the police will stay in the area for (Image: NQ)

“It was terrible.”

Another concerned resident, Lili Horton, added: “It was quite nerve-wracking and scary, as it’s just a few doors down.

“I heard shouting and then saw the police officers with riot shields, loads of cars came, they parked down here and it was quite scary.

“I was on my own at that point and whilst we do get some stuff happening down here, it’s never been as bad as that.

“I feel safer that the police are here but it was still very scary.”