Armed police officers have shot and killed a man suspected of carrying a firearm following a serious road collision in Norfolk. The incident occurred on Sunday evening and has prompted an immediate referral to the police watchdog.
Timeline of a Fatal Evening
Norfolk Police were first alerted at approximately 8.25pm on Sunday to reports of a two-vehicle crash on London Road in Thetford. Upon arrival, the situation escalated rapidly. According to police statements, one man, believed to be the driver of one of the vehicles involved, fled the scene. Crucially, he was reported to be holding an item described by witnesses as a handgun.
The force's armed response unit was swiftly deployed to the area. A short distance from the initial crash site, contact was made with the suspect. During the encounter, police discharged their firearms. Despite the efforts of emergency medical services at the scene, the man was pronounced dead.
Road Closures and Community Assurance
The major A11 road was closed in both directions for a significant period following the incident, from the Thetford Ranges roundabout to the Brandon Road roundabout, causing major disruption. Assistant Chief Constable David Buckley addressed public concerns directly.
"We understand this incident will cause concern in the community," he stated. He sought to contextualise the rare nature of such events, noting: "Our highly trained armed officers deploy to hundreds of firearms related calls each year, but incidents where police discharge firearms are thankfully incredibly rare."
Independent Investigation Underway
In line with standard procedure for police shootings, the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). A full independent investigation is now in progress to establish every detail surrounding the circumstances.
ACC Buckley emphasised the commitment to transparency, confirming: "We are of course cooperating fully with the IOPC investigation and will be handing over all bodyworn footage and 999 calls." He also provided reassurance that police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the event.
The community in Thetford awaits the findings of the IOPC as Norfolk Police continue their own parallel investigation into the initial collision and the actions that led to the fatal shooting.
