An investigation has been initiated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following a fatal shooting involving police in Thetford. This incident occurred after officers were dispatched to a report of a two-vehicle collision on London Road at approximately 20:25 GMT on Sunday. A male, believed to be in his sixties, was killed during this encounter, with reports suggesting he was reportedly carrying a handgun.
On Monday, the IOPC confirmed that police discharged their weapons twice shortly before 9pm. Additionally, a firearm that does not appear to be issued by the police has been recovered from the scene. Despite receiving first aid, the man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 22:15.
Incident Details and Initial Findings
Norfolk Police reported that they encountered a severely damaged Mercedes van at the site, which was determined to be involved in the collision. The vehicle was vacant, and the airbag had deployed. A Honda Jazz in the vicinity also exhibited damage on one side, with the driver sustaining minor injuries but opting against medical treatment.
Witnesses informed law enforcement that a man armed with a black handgun was seen on London Road, moving toward a nearby Sainsbury’s store. He was later identified walking along the southbound lane of the A11, towards the Brandon Road roundabout, in a northbound direction.
IOPC and Police Responses
In response, armed officers were dispatched to the area. They approached the individual, and shortly thereafter, he was shot by police from a short distance. Amanda Rowe, the director of the IOPC, emphasized the rarity of fatal police shootings, and asserted the importance of an independent inquiry into the circumstances and decisions made by the police involved.
The investigation remains in its early stages, with the IOPC beginning to collect and review evidence to reconstruct the events leading up to the shooting. They plan to communicate with the deceased man’s family to outline their role and the investigation’s forthcoming steps.
Deputy Chief Constable Dave Marshall from Norfolk Police remarked on the seriousness of the incident, acknowledging the loss of life. He expressed understanding regarding public interest in the event while highlighting the necessity of maintaining the IOPC’s investigatory integrity. The police are fully cooperating by providing all relevant materials such as body-worn video footage, 999 communication records, and drone visuals to ensure a thorough examination and uphold transparency.
Traffic and Area Impact
The IOPC was notified of the shooting shortly before 21:40 that evening, initiating a collection of initial accounts from the officers involved, as well as reviewing police logs and body-worn footage. While the A11 was closed for investigation purposes, it reopened in the northbound direction around 14:30, although southbound traffic remained diverted.
Images from the scene depicted forensic teams conducting investigations on the carriageway. The police were first alerted to the situation at about 20:25 GMT on Sunday.
For more updates, follow local news channels and platforms.
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: (Augustin-Foto) Jonas Augustin auf Unsplash
