A gunman is fighting for his life after he apparently shot himself during a 16-hour stand-off with police.
Paramedics are trying to save the man after at least one shot was fired on Leagrave Common, in Luton, Bedfordshire.
Eyewitnesses said the man was holding a sawn-off shotgun to his chin before the blast rang out shortly before midday on Monday.
Bedfordshire Police said one marksman may have also discharged a shot during the confrontation.
Paramedics and police were holding up a screen around the injured man as an air ambulance remained on stand-by.
Armed police were called to the area after a member of the public dialled 999 to report a man in Wauluds Bank Drive with a gun on Sunday night. They found a man walking across Leagrave Common, which includes several football pitches, at about 8.30pm.
The armed officers were joined by dog handlers and specialist negotiators as a stand-off took place and continued through the night.
The gunman, who was wearing dirty jeans, a hooded top, cap and scarf, was seen walking around with a gun held to his chin. Eyewitnesses said he also spent some time sitting down cross-legged with the butt of the gun in his lap and the muzzle against his head.
It appeared police brought him a McDonald's takeaway at some stage during the negotiations.
A police spokeswoman said the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will be informed of the shooting in due course.
A gunman is fighting for his life after he apparently shot himself during a 16-hour stand-off with police.
Paramedics are trying to save the man after at least one shot was fired on Leagrave Common, in Luton, Bedfordshire.
Eyewitnesses said the man was holding a sawn-off shotgun to his chin before the blast rang out shortly before midday on Monday.
Bedfordshire Police said one marksman may have also discharged a shot during the confrontation.
Paramedics and police were holding up a screen around the injured man as an air ambulance remained on stand-by.
Armed police were called to the area after a member of the public dialled 999 to report a man in Wauluds Bank Drive with a gun on Sunday night. They found a man walking across Leagrave Common, which includes several football pitches, at about 8.30pm.
The armed officers were joined by dog handlers and specialist negotiators as a stand-off took place and continued through the night.
The gunman, who was wearing dirty jeans, a hooded top, cap and scarf, was seen walking around with a gun held to his chin. Eyewitnesses said he also spent some time sitting down cross-legged with the butt of the gun in his lap and the muzzle against his head.
It appeared police brought him a McDonald's takeaway at some stage during the negotiations.
A police spokeswoman said the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will be informed of the shooting in due course.