Man shot dead by police on A11 was carrying air gun
Tony Keeble was shot dead by police after being ordered to drop his weapon twice
Henry Durand, LDRS 11:32, 08 Jan 2026
View ImagePolice at the scene of a cordoned off A11 in Thetford, Norfolk(Image: James Linsell Clark / SWNS)The man shot dead by police at the side of the A11 was carrying an air gun[1]. Tony Keeble died after being shot in the chest and abdomen by armed officers next to the Thetford[2] bypass on Sunday, December 28.
Police had been sent to the area following a collision between a car and a van on a nearby road, with witnesses saying a man with a handgun had left the scene.
The shooting is being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which has said that the weapon recovered from the roadside was a "gas-powered air gun".
Most air weapons do not require a licence, but no-one who has been sentenced to three or more years in jail can use one.
Mr Keeble, 61, lived in the town and his address on Masefield Walk was the focus of extensive searches by officers in the days after his death
The shooting followed the crash between a Honda Jazz and Mercedes van by the gates of Thetford cemetery on London Road, at around 8.25pm on December 28. When police arrived at the scene, they found the driver of the Honda to have suffered minor injuries. The motorist declined medical treatment when taken to hospital.
Officers received several reports from members of the public that a man carrying a handgun had left the scene and been spotted on London Road.
According to one witness, he had pointed the gun at a woman.
Mr Keeble was found by armed officers on the side of the A11 close to the Sainsbury's[3] supermarket, around a mile away. He was ordered to drop his weapon twice. Shortly after, two officers both fired a single shot, which struck him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination established his provisional cause of death was gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen.
An inquest is yet to be scheduled. Police bodycam footage, as well as dashcam footage, has been reviewed by IOPC investigators.
Initial statements have been given by the officers present, with further statements set to be taken as part of the probe.
All police officers are currently being treated as witnesses at this stage as there is 'no indication' so far that policing standards of professional behaviour were breached, the IOPC has said.
Amanda Rowe, IOPC director, said: "We understand that any incident of this nature is likely to cause public concern, particularly in the local Norfolk[4] community, with questions about the circumstances surrounding this event.
"That's why it's important that we carry out a robust and thorough independent investigation. Our investigation remains in its early stages, and we are still gathering and reviewing evidence as we work to establish the full circumstances."
Terry Jermy, MP for South West Norfolk and a Thetford town councillor said: "Many people in the community understandably have questions about the incident that occurred and I appreciate there is some concern amongst residents.
"Answers will come, but we must remember that investigations and collating the facts about what exactly took place takes time and we need to allow the police and others to undertake their vital work.
"I am grateful to the officers supporting the case for their diligence and for carrying out a thorough investigation into the matter, and I would urge anyone with information to come forward to support their work.
Article continues below"We must also remember this incident is shocking primarily because it is so rare.
Thetford remains a beautiful and safe place to live with a strong sense of community."