Glasgow stabbings: Hero cop David Whyte hailed after being stabbed tackling knifeman
Police Scotland's Chief Constable Iain Livingstone praised his brave officers for "once again running into danger to protect their fellow citizens."
Graeme Thomson
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Police Scotland's Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has hailed the hero cop who was injured tackling the Glasgow hotel knifeman as well as fellow officers who bravely raced to the scene.
Police were called to a report of an incident at the Park Inn Hotel in West George Street just before 1pm on Friday.
As officers rushed to the hotel they were confronted by a knifeman who had injured several people.
A few minutes later Constable David Whyte, 42, was stabbed before armed police shot the suspect dead in the hotel.
Six people are being treated in hospital after the incident. Constable Whyte's condition is described as "critical but stable".
The other victims were men aged 17, 18, 20, 38 and 53. No information on their condition is yet available.
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Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: "Terrible incidents such as we have seen today are, thankfully, very rare in Scotland. This event has understandably shocked the people of Glasgow, and indeed, the whole country.
"My thoughts and very best wishes are with those who have been injured and their families, including our colleague Constable David Whyte who was seriously injured in the course of doing his duty. I offer my personal support to all those affected.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has praised the bravery of his officers (Image: PA)
"Officers have once again run into danger to protect their fellow citizens. Their professionalism as police officers was outstanding. I pay tribute to their bravery, selflessness and commitment to protecting the public.
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"I briefed the First Minister and the Prime Minister earlier today on the circumstances and advised them both that we are not treating the attack as a terrorist incident.
"It is essential enquiries are now carried out to establish the full circumstances and all speculation must be avoided.
"Scotland is a safe place to live and work. We have cohesive communities who work with their police service to maintain our peaceful and respectful way of life.
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"In the context of the current health emergency, and to respect those injured today and the people of Glasgow, I ask everyone to exercise personal responsibility. Please, do not gather in crowds this weekend."
A spokeswoman for campaign group Positive Action In Housing said the 91-room hotel was housing asylum seekers for the Mears Group, which moved them there during the coronavirus lockdown.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "First and foremost, my thoughts are with all those people who have been caught up in this terrible incident, particularly the six injured people taken to hospital for treatment, as well as residents and staff at the hotel.
"I also want to thank all of those police officers whose quick and decisive actions contained the incident - one of whom was among those taken to hospital - as well as the work of the other emergency services."
She added: "The Justice Secretary and I have been kept informed through the afternoon and briefed by the chief constable.
"While such a serious incident is rare in Scotland, it is another reminder of the courage and professionalism of our police officers who are willing to run towards danger in order to protect the lives of others.
"Clearly there is already much speculation around this incident, which remains under investigation.
"I would urge everyone to avoid such speculation, to not share potentially harmful or upsetting material on social media and to follow police advice while investigations are under way."
Sturgeon also said the police response "undoubtedly ensured that a very, very serious incident didn't become much worse".
Tom Flanagan Karttunen, of the Radisson Hotel Group, said: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic event that happened today on West George Street in Glasgow.
"During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the hotel has been occupied for temporary housing."
He added: "We are working with the hotel owner and all the relevant local authorities, including Police Scotland, to support the investigation."
A Mears Group spokesman said: "We will not anticipate a live police investigation, but we can confirm that the attack happened in a hotel where we are housing asylum seekers during the lockdown period.
"We will provide more details as we are able to and our priority is to look after the welfare of our service users who will no doubt be traumatised by this terrible event.
"Tonight, we also think of the staff in the hotel and our colleagues at the scene - all are in our thoughts."