A man has been shot dead by firearms officers in Kent.
A man has been shot dead by firearms officers in Kent.
Officers were called to Tumblefield Road, Stansted, near Sevenoaks, just before 0800 GMT on Saturday to reports of a man with a gun, police said.
Officers were called to Tumblefield Road, Stansted, near Sevenoaks, just before 0800 GMT on Saturday to reports of a man with a gun, police said.
Armed officers went to the scene and the man was shot by police and fatally wounded, a police spokeswoman added.
Armed officers went to the scene and the man was shot by police and fatally wounded, a police spokeswoman added.
There are no reports of any other people being injured in the incident. An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) inquiry has begun.
No-one else was injured. An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) inquiry has begun and a weapon has been recovered from the site.
The spokeswoman said: "At this time there are no other reports of any other people injured, and no-one else was involved in the incident."
The spokeswoman said: "At this time there are no other reports of any other people injured, and no-one else was involved in the incident."
We haven't heard of it being anyone local Anne Roberts
We haven't heard of it being anyone local Anne Roberts
The incident happened close to the village of Stansted, around four miles from Sevenoaks town centre. The road remains cordoned off.
The incident happened close to the village of Stansted, around four miles from Sevenoaks town centre.
IPCC spokesman David Nicholson said two investigators were on their way to assess the scene and decide on the "mode of investigation".
A cordon was put in place and was lifted at about 1720 GMT.
Anne Roberts, landlady of the Black Horse pub on Tumblefield Road, said: "The road has been shut top to bottom, and they are not letting people in or out apart from residents.
The IPCC said a weapon had been recovered and three of its investigators had been to the scene.
"They expect that to be the case for most of the day."
IPCC Commissioner David Petch said: "I would like to extend my sympathies to the family and friends of the dead man.
"I have decided that this will be an independent investigation carried out byIPCC investigators.
"We will be looking at why the police were called and what happened when they deployed officers."
It was confirmed that two unarmed officers were initially sent to the scene, later followed by armed officers.
A post-mortem has been held but the dead man's identitiy has not yet been revealed.
'Near rural area'
'Near rural area'
And she added: "We haven't heard of it being anyone local who lives in the area."
Anne Roberts, landlady of the Black Horse pub on Tumblefield Road, said: "We haven't heard of it being anyone local who lives in the area."
Ms Roberts described the area as a close-knit village of about 200 residents.
Ms Roberts described the area as a close-knit village of about 200 residents.
It is close to a rural area where pheasant and rabbit shooting is common, and is also close to a number of deprived urban areas, she said.
It is close to a rural area where pheasant and rabbit shooting is common, and is also close to a number of deprived urban areas, she said.
It is thought the shooting happened near the junction of Tumblefield Road and Wrotham Hill Road, not far from the A20 and the M20.
It is thought the shooting happened near the junction of Tumblefield Road and Wrotham Hill Road, not far from the A20 and the M20.
There's a big farming community and a lot of people have shotgun licences Marie Farrell
There's a big farming community and a lot of people have shotgun licences Marie Farrell
Marie Farrell, 25, who lives about 100 metres from where the incident happened said residents heard sirens, and were later telephoned by police who told them not to leave their homes.
Marie Farrell, 25, who lives about 100 metres from where the incident happened said residents heard sirens, and were later telephoned by police who told them not to leave their homes.
She said: "All we know is that someone has been shot by the police.
She said: "All we know is that someone has been shot by the police.
"We don't know who it is. It's just crazy. We just hope it wasn't an accident.
"We don't know who it is. It's just crazy. We just hope it wasn't an accident.
"There's a big farming community and a lot of people have shotgun licences around here.
"There's a big farming community and a lot of people have shotgun licences around here.
"It's a nice rural area. It's a bit strange what has happened."
"It's a nice rural area. It's a bit strange what has happened."
In June, a woman was shot and killed in the centre of Sevenoaks by armed police in Kent.
In June, a woman was shot and killed in the centre of Sevenoaks by armed police in Kent.
Ann Sanderson, 37, was believed to be the first woman to have been shot dead by police for at least 27 years.
Ann Sanderson, 37, was believed to be the first woman to have been shot dead by police for at least 27 years.
The IPCC is also investigating that incident.
The IPCC is also investigating that incident.
Do you live in the area? How will this affect the local community?
Do you live in the area? How will this affect the local community?
