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2 months ago
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Following the incident, a section of the A11 remained closed in both directions
A man thought to be carrying a handgun has been shot and killed by police following a two-vehicle crash.
Norfolk Police was called to London Road in Thetford at about 20:35 GMT on Sunday when a man, believed to be the driver of one of the vehicles, left the scene holding what the force said "was described as a handgun".
Armed response officers attended and the suspect was subsequently shot by police "a short distance away". Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The nearby A11 has been closed to traffic while investigators worked in a wooded area. It reopened northbound at around 14:30 GMT but remained closed southbound, with diversions in place.
Shaun Whitmore/BBC
A section of woodland close to the A11 has also been taped off by police
Norfolk Police said it had made a "standard procedure" referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the incident.
The force's Assistant Chief Constable, David Buckley, said: "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. A full and independent investigation is already underway.
"We are of course cooperating fully with the IOPC investigation and will be handing over all body-worn footage and 999 calls to ensure transparency.
"We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident."
Shaun Whitmore/BBC
The stretch of A11 is to the west of London Road in Thetford, with a supermarket and retail park between the two roads
An IOPC spokesperson confirmed it has started an independent investigation.
In a statement they said: "We were notified by the force after the incident on the A11, at Thetford, near the exit for London Road, just before 9:40pm and declared an independent investigation a short time later.
"Despite the man receiving treatment for his injuries, he sadly died at the scene.
"We sent investigators to the post-incident procedure to begin our enquiries and start gathering evidence.
"Our investigation is in its very early stages."
Jack MacLean/BBC
A referral has been made to the IOPC following the man's death
Images from the scene showed forensic officers surveying the carriageway.
Norfolk Police has been asked for further details of the crash which preceded the incident.
Jack Maclean/BBC
The force was called to the scene at about 20:35 GMT on Sunday
