Police fired twice during fatal shooting, says IOPC

Officers fired twice during a fatal police shooting in which a man thought to have been carrying a handgun was killed, a watchdog has said.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation after the man was shot and killed when Norfolk Police was called to a two-vehicle collision in London Road, Thetford, at around 20:25 GMT on Sunday.

On Monday, the IOPC confirmed that "two shots were fired by police shortly before 9pm" and what appears to be a non-police-issue firearm has been recovered from the scene.

The man, believed to be in his sixties, was given first aid but was declared dead at the scene shortly before 22:15.

His next of kin have been notified, the IOPC said.

Norfolk Police found a badly damaged Mercedes van, which had been involved in the collision, when they arrived at the scene, the force said.

It was unoccupied and the airbag had gone off. There was also a Honda Jazz which was damaged on one side. The driver suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment in hospital.

Members of the public had told police that a man had been spotted carrying a black handgun in London Road heading towards a Sainsbury's store.

He was seen on the southbound carriageway of the A11, near the Brandon Road roundabout, walking in a northbound direction.

Armed response officers went to the southbound carriageway. The man was approached by police officers, and a short time later was shot by police from a short distance away, the force said.

IOPC 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.

"Our investigation is in its initial stages and we are in the process of obtaining and reviewing evidence as we begin to piece together the circumstances surrounding this incident.

The IOPC said it would be making contact with the man's family to explain its role and the next steps the investigation would take.

Deputy Chief Constable Dave Marshall, of Norfolk Police, said "This is a very serious matter, sadly someone has lost their life, and I understand people will want to know what happened.

"However, there is a duty on this organisation, my colleagues and I, to protect the integrity and independence of the IOPC investigation so it can progress and make its own assessment of what happened.

"We are co-operating fully with the IOPC investigation and are in the process of handing over all body-worn video footage, 999 calls and drone footage so this can be thoroughly investigated, and to ensure full transparency."

The force informed the IOPC shortly before 21:40. Investigators have begun gathering evidence, including getting initial accounts from the officers involved. Police logs and body-worn video footage were also being checked.

The nearby A11, closed to traffic while investigators worked, reopened northbound at about 14:30, but remained closed southbound, with diversions in place.

Images from the scene showed forensic officers surveying the carriageway.

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