A man believed to have been in possession of a handgun was fatally shot by armed police officers following a road traffic collision near Thetford in Norfolk on Sunday evening.
Details of the Thetford Incident
The incident unfolded at approximately 8.25pm on Sunday 28 December 2025 on London Road. Police were called to a collision involving two vehicles. It is believed the man who was later shot was the driver of one of these cars.
According to Norfolk Police, the man left the crash site holding what was described as a handgun. Armed officers who were deployed to the scene subsequently shot him. The man was pronounced dead at the location.
Independent Investigation Launched
The force has made a mandatory referral to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has now begun an independent investigation into the circumstances.
Assistant Chief Constable David Buckley addressed public concern, stating: "We understand this incident will cause concern in the community. Our highly trained armed officers deploy to hundreds of firearms related calls each year, but incidents where police discharge firearms are thankfully incredibly rare."
He confirmed the force is cooperating fully with the IOPC probe and will hand over all relevant evidence, including body-worn video footage and 999 call recordings. Police have stated they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the event.
Ongoing Road Closures and Impact
As a result of the police operation, a significant stretch of the A11 remains closed in both directions. The closure affects the road from the Thetford Ranges roundabout to the Brandon Road roundabout, causing major disruption for motorists.
The IOPC investigation is expected to examine the actions of all parties involved thoroughly to establish the full sequence of events that led to this fatal outcome.
