Man with gun, 61, shot dead by police after crash is named

Published 2 hours ago
Source: metro.co.uk
Police at the scene of a cordoned off A11 in Thetford, Norfolk. December 29, 2025. // Armed police have shot and killed a suspected gunman following a two-vehicle crash in Norfolk. Officers were called to London Road in Thetford at around 8:25pm on Sunday (December 28). Norfolk Constabulary said one man - believed to be the driver of one of the vehicles - left the scene holding what was described as a handgun. 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 force said. An investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances of the incident. The A11 remains closed in both directions from the Thetford Ranges roundabout to the Brandon Road roundabout. Norfolk Constabulary has notified the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which has begun an investigation. Photo released 29/12/2025 Photo released 29/12/2025 Photo released 29/12/2025
Tony Keeble was shot twice by police and declared dead at the scene (Picture: SWNS)

A man who died in a police shooting in Norfolk this week has been named as Tony Keeble.

The 61-year-old, from Thetford, died on the side of the A11 last Sunday, after two officers both fired a single shot, which struck him.

The post-mortem has given the provisional cause of death as gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen.

Investigators at the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) say they have been reviewing evidence, including police body-worn video footage and dashcam footage.

The IOPC said officers received a report of a car crash around 8.30 pm that evening, and a man was seen with a handgun.

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‘Armed officers were deployed and found a man on the side of the A11 shortly before 9 pm. He was ordered to drop his weapon,’ they added.

Police at the scene of a cordoned off A11 in Thetford, Norfolk. December 29, 2025. // Armed police have shot and killed a suspected gunman following a two-vehicle crash in Norfolk. Officers were called to London Road in Thetford at around 8:25pm on Sunday (December 28). Norfolk Constabulary said one man - believed to be the driver of one of the vehicles - left the scene holding what was described as a handgun. 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 force said. An investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances of the incident. The A11 remains closed in both directions from the Thetford Ranges roundabout to the Brandon Road roundabout. Norfolk Constabulary has notified the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which has begun an investigation. Photo released 29/12/2025 Photo released 29/12/2025 Photo released 29/12/2025
Police recovered a ‘non-police issue firearm’ from the scene (Picture: SWNS)

‘A short time later, two officers both fired a single shot, which struck the man. What appeared to be a non-police issue firearm was recovered from the scene.’

Locals reported to police that they had seen a man carrying a black handgun on London Road heading towards Sainsbury’s.

When officers arrived, one of the cars – a Mercedes van – was badly damaged, the airbag had gone off, and the car was unoccupied, the force said.

Keeble was declared dead at the scene.

The other car – A Honda Jazz – was damaged on one side. The driver of the Honda Jazz suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment in hospital.

‘Officers involved are currently being treated as witnesses, and at this early stage there is no indication that any officers may have potentially breached the police standards of professional behaviour,’ they added.

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 cooperating 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.’

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