Man shot dead by police after two-car crash
A man believed to be in his 60s has been shot and killed by police in Thetford following a car accident and reports of a person armed with a handgun.
The incident began on the evening of Sunday, 28 December 2025. Norfolk Police were called to London Road at approximately 20:25 following a collision between two vehicles—a Mercedes van and a Honda Jazz—near the cemetery gates.
According to reports, a man believed to be the driver of the Mercedes van fled the scene carrying what witnesses described as a black handgun. Armed response officers were deployed and located the man a short time later on the A11, near the Brandon Road roundabout.
The Shooting and Investigation
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that two shots were fired by police shortly before 21:00. Despite immediate first aid and the efforts of emergency services, the man was pronounced dead at the scene at 22:15.
A non-police issue firearm was recovered from the scene by investigators.
Assistant Chief Constable David Buckley stated:
"We know this incident will cause a lot of anxiety in the community. Our highly trained armed officers respond to hundreds of firearms calls each year, but police discharge cases are fortunately extremely unusual. A full and independent investigation is now underway."
Norfolk Police have referred the matter to the IOPC, as is standard procedure following a fatal police shooting. The force is cooperating fully, providing body-worn video footage, 999 call logs, and drone footage to the watchdog.
Road Closures and Disruption 🚦
The A11 remained closed in both directions between the Thetford Ranges roundabout and the Brandon Road roundabout throughout much of Monday while forensic officers surveyed the carriageway.
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Northbound: Traffic was diverted at Elveden onto the B1106.
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Southbound: Diversions were in place via the A134 toward Bury St Edmunds.
By Monday afternoon, the northbound carriageway had reopened, though long delays were reported in the surrounding areas.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe stated that investigators are in the early stages of "piecing together the circumstances" and have already begun obtaining initial accounts from the officers involved. The deceased's next of kin have been notified, though formal identification is yet to take place.
