Edinburgh Mass Stabbing Suspect Hunted by Drone After Holing Up in Top-Floor Flat
Police Scotland are hunting a suspect in a reported mass stabbing incident in Edinburgh, deploying a drone to track the individual believed to be holed up in a top-floor flat. The suspect, who is yet to be identified by authorities, is said to have armed himself with knives and attempted to ransack a local shop earlier today.
Massive Armed Police Response in Calder
Armed police have shut down a neighbourhood in the Calder area of Edinburgh, responding to reports of a man with a bladed weapon. Two people have been hospitalised following the incident, with officers tracking the suspect to a local tower block known as Cobbinshaw House.
Dramatic photographs from the scene show a massive police presence, including firearms officers, as well as high-tech methods being used to locate the suspect. The suspect was pictured wielding two knives earlier in the day, prompting a significant operational response.
Drone Deployment for Bird's Eye View
Police Scotland were seen deploying a drone earlier this afternoon, which shot up to the top floor of the flat complex. This drone has granted officers a bird's eye view of Cobbinshaw House, potentially allowing them to pinpoint the suspect's exact location within the building.
Locals in the area, including resident Mary Todd, expressed shock at the commotion, stating they have never experienced such an event. Todd reported hearing the man from the tower block before leaving with her daughter through a back door. The suspect was also briefly spotted armed with a knife and emerging from a window at the top of the block during the ongoing siege.
School Lockdowns and Public Warnings
Several schools and nurseries in Edinburgh were forced to lock down this morning after the man attempted to gain entry. Police urged locals to stay at home and avoid the Calder area while operations continue.
According to local residents, the suspect stormed into and ransacked a shop before trying to enter a school and chasing workers with a knife. Abigail Clegg, a witness, said, "He tried to get into the school, the nursery. He then went into the shop. He ransacked the shop, the shop’s a mess. He chased the people that work in the shop with a knife."
A spokesperson for Police Scotland issued a statement advising the public to steer clear of the area. "The public is being advised to avoid the Calder area of Edinburgh following reports of a man with a bladed weapon. Police, including firearms officers, are in attendance," the spokesperson said.
The incident has caused significant disruption, with a crowd forming at the tower block as police continue their hunt. Authorities are using all available resources, including drone technology, to ensure the suspect is apprehended safely and without further harm to the public.
