Key Takeaways
- A two-vehicle collision occurred near the cemetery gates in London Road, resulting in a police shooting that left one man dead.
- The incident involved a Mercedes van and a Honda Jazz, with the driver of the Honda suffering minor injuries.
- A man was seen leaving the collision scene with a handgun, prompting armed response officers to be deployed.
- The man was shot by police on the A11 near the Brandon Road roundabout and was pronounced dead at the scene.
- The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the incident.
Introduction to the Incident
The incident occurred on Sunday evening, with emergency services responding to a two-vehicle collision near the cemetery gates in London Road at around 8:25pm. The collision involved a Mercedes van and a Honda Jazz, with the driver of the Honda suffering minor injuries. However, the incident took a turn when a man was seen leaving the collision scene holding what was described as a handgun. This prompted armed response officers to be deployed to the area.
The Police Response
Armed response officers were deployed to the A11 near the Brandon Road roundabout, where the man was seen walking in a northbound direction. The officers approached the man, and a short time later, he was shot by police from a short distance away. Despite the efforts of emergency services, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. A formal identification is yet to be confirmed, but it is understood that the man who died was in his 60s. His next of kin has been informed of his death.
The Investigation
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the incident. The IOPC has sent investigators to attend the police post-incident procedure to begin gathering evidence, including obtaining initial accounts from the officers involved, police logs, and securing police body-worn video footage. A spokesman for the IOPC said that two shots were fired by police shortly before 9pm, and first aid was provided at the scene. The IOPC director, Amanda Rowe, added that fatal police shootings are rare, but 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 Road Closure
The A11 was closed in both directions between the Thetford Ranges roundabout and the Brandon Road roundabout following the incident. The northbound carriageway reopened at around 2:45pm on Monday, while one lane of the southbound carriageway reopened at around 7:45pm. The other lane remains closed for investigation work. The road closure caused significant disruption to traffic in the area, with many drivers taking to social media to express their frustration.
The Reaction
Locals in the area reported hearing a loud "shot" noise at around 8:20pm, followed by the sound of police sirens. One person, who lives near London Road cemetery, said she heard a loud car horn and gunshot-like noise in the area. Another local said they heard "all the police sirens" and saw a cordon around the cemetery, but did not see much else happening. The police cordon that was in place around the cemetery has since been removed. Some locals said they didn’t find out about the incident until the morning after it had happened, with one resident saying they first knew about it when they saw the road closure on their way to work.
The Aftermath
The incident has left many in the community shaken, with some residents expressing concern about the use of force by police. The IOPC investigation is ongoing, and it is expected to take several weeks to complete. In the meantime, the community is coming to terms with the events of that evening, and many are waiting for answers about what happened. The incident has also raised questions about the use of firearms by police and the procedures in place for responding to incidents involving armed individuals. As the investigation continues, it is likely that more information will come to light, and the community will be able to better understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.