The police watchdog has launched an investigation after a man in his 60s was shot dead by officers in Norfolk.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was examining what led police to fire twice after two vehicles crashed into each other in Thetford on Sunday evening.
The Guardian understands at this early stage of the investigation that the deceased is believed to be white and from the Norfolk area.
Armed police were deployed after 999 calls reported a man seen with a firearm. He is believed to have been the driver of one of the vehicles involved in the crash on the A11.
The IOPC said a non-police-issue firearm was found at the scene. Tests are under way to determine if the weapon found, which is understood to look like a handgun, could fire lethal bullets or was a replica.
Norfolk police said: “Officers were called to London Road at around 8.25pm on Sunday 28 December 2025 following reports of a two-vehicle collision.
“One man, believed to be the driver of one of the vehicles, left the scene holding what was described as a handgun.
“Armed response officers attended and the suspect was subsequently shot by police a short distance away.”
By law, police shootings have to be independently investigated by the police watchdog.
The IOPC said: “At this early stage, we have established via police call logs that Norfolk constabulary officers responded to a report of a collision involving two vehicles on London Road shortly before 8.30pm.
“Armed officers responded after it was reported that a man was seen leaving the collision scene holding what was described to be a handgun.
“Officers found a man by the A11 a short time later. We can confirm that two shots were fired by police shortly before 9pm.
“First aid was provided at the scene, however the man was sadly declared deceased shortly before 10.15pm.”
The dead man’s relatives and loved ones have been informed.
The IOPC said its investigators had taken initial accounts from the officers involved, examined police logs, and secured police body-worn video footage. Fuller accounts from officers involved were expected to be taken in about two days.
Its director, Amanda Rowe, said: “Fatal police shootings are rare, however when they do occur it’s essential that an independent investigation is carried out into the actions and decision-making of the officers involved.”
The Norfolk assistant chief constable, David Buckley, said: “Our highly trained armed officers deploy to hundreds of firearms-related calls each year, but incidents where police discharge firearms are thankfully incredibly rare. A full and independent investigation is already under way.”
