A dramatic incident unfolded in Thetford, Norfolk, as local police shot and killed a man who allegedly fled a car crash while armed with a handgun.
DDM gathered that the man was involved in a collision earlier in the day, after which he reportedly exited the vehicle and ran from the scene.
Eyewitnesses say he was holding what appeared to be a firearm, prompting officers to respond with lethal force.
Authorities confirmed that the man died at the scene, and his identity has not yet been publicly released. Emergency medical services attended promptly, but efforts to save him were unsuccessful.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched a formal investigation into the incident.
The agency emphasized that all use-of-force cases are reviewed thoroughly to determine if procedures were correctly followed and whether the shooting was justified under the circumstances.
Local residents expressed shock and concern following the event, with some describing hearing multiple gunshots and seeing a large police presence at the site.
Traffic on surrounding roads was temporarily halted as emergency services and investigators secured the area.
Police stated that the response was prompted by the perceived threat posed by the man’s possession of a firearm. Officers on the scene attempted to contain the situation while ensuring public safety, but the confrontation escalated, resulting in the fatal shooting.
The IOPC has appealed to anyone with video footage or eyewitness accounts to come forward, noting that these inputs are vital to providing a comprehensive understanding of the sequence of events leading to the death.
The incident has sparked debates in the UK over police use of force, particularly in situations involving armed individuals fleeing accidents. Critics argue that alternative methods could be explored to neutralize threats without resorting to lethal measures, while law enforcement agencies stress the necessity of immediate action to protect lives.
Norfolk Police have confirmed they are cooperating fully with the IOPC investigation and have urged the public to remain calm and allow the inquiry to proceed.
This event marks a rare but significant instance of police-involved fatalities in the region, prompting renewed calls for transparency, accountability, and clear communication from law enforcement to maintain community trust.
The IOPC investigation is expected to include interviews with responding officers, examination of body-worn cameras, and analysis of the crash and surrounding circumstances to establish a full timeline of events.