A 36-year-old man believed to be William Smith (pictured) was shot dead during an operation by armed police linked to the murder of a 73-year-old man in Biddenden on March 21

A man was shot dead during a police operation looking into the murder of an elderly man at his remote country home last month.

The 36-year-old man, named locally as William Smith, was shot dead during a pre-planned operation on Sunday night involving armed police in Goudhurst, Kent, linked to the murder of a 73-year-old man in Biddenden on March 21.

Grandfather Roy Blackman, 73, was found bludgeoned to death at his remote home last month. A safe and a gun were stolen from his house during the incident.

At 8.30pm yesterday evening armed officers from Kent Police attended an address in relation to the murder investigation and shots were fired.

It is believed Mr Smith was shot near to a traveller site in the area but this has not been confirmed.

Paramedics were called to the scene - just ten miles from Mr Blackman's home - but the man, who has not been formally identified, died.

Neil Jerome, Assistant Chief Constable at Kent Police said that the man's family had been informed and added: 'One man was fatally injured at the scene and a firearm has been recovered.

'Formal identification of that person has not yet taken place but the family of a man officers wanted to locate in connection with the murder in Biddenden, have been informed.

'The matter has now been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as is mandatory for all police shootings.'

Kent Police said the unnamed man had been arrested in connection with the investigation into Mr Blackman's murder and was on bail at the time of the incident.

On Thursday officers had appealed for information to trace his whereabouts.

A spokesman for Kent Police said at the time: 'Detectives investigating the death of Roy Blackman in Biddenden have released a picture of a man that they would like to speak to.

'William Smith is 36 years-old, and officers are appealing for information regarding his whereabouts.'

But Kent Police and the IPCC have refused to confirm the identification of the man shot dead in the incident - although Kent Police have now removed the appeal to trace Smith from their website.

A 36-year-old man was shot dead during a pre-planned operation last night involving armed police in Goudhurst, Kent, linked to the murder of a 73-year-old man (Pictured: Police at the scene today)

A man was shot dead during a police investigation into the death of an elderly man who was killed last month

The remote country lane where the shooting took place was still completely blocked off today by police as forensics officers carried out a search of the site.

Yesterday, an IPCC spokesman said: 'After being notified by Kent Police, IPCC investigators deployed to the scene to oversee post incident procedures.

'Tests are being carried out on what appears to be a non-police firearm found at the scene, and forensic examination will continue throughout today.

'As with any fatal police shooting, an independent investigation was declared by the IPCC soon after being made aware of the incident. Further information will be released once verified by the IPCC.'

The coroner has been informed but formal identification of the man is yet to take place.

Richard Edmondson, who owns Edmondson Interiors in the road where the raid took place - said he was surprised when he got to work yesterday and saw police cars in the area.

He said: 'I came down yesterday and the police allowed me to go to my workshop.

'I was a bit surprised to see so many police cars and an ambulance. I didn't know what had happened, they said to check out the news.

'They're still down there now.'

Mr Edmondson said he noticed some activity at the property where the raid took place int he last week.

He added: 'It's just a field. We noticed a bit of activity in the last week; saw a few people around.

'There were also a couple of ponies on the land which was unusual.'

Pensioner Roy Blackman, 73, (pictured) was found bludgeoned to death at his remote home last month

In all six people were arrested in connection to the violent death of Mr Blackman at his home (pictured)

According to the Goudhurst parish council website, vehicles had been seen parked in front of a waterworks on the edge of the village in the days leading up to the shooting.

The website posting on the news section of the website said: 'The lay-by has a clear view of the caravan and shack on the land, which the website says has been owned by the Smith family for the past 15 years.

'Neighbours had reported hearing two burst of shots. A police helicopter had been in the area earlier.'

Mr Blackman, who bred rare birds and was a popular member of the community, was found dead from multiple blunt force injuries at his home in Biddenden, after burglars stole his safe.

Police said the suspects had left a 'trail of devastation' through the house.

On April 10 Mark Love, 37, was charged with the murder of Mr Blackman, who was bludgeoned to death during a violent burglary.

Love, from Staplehurst, appeared before Medway Magistrates Court and was also charged with aggravated burglary.

At the time police released a picture of a firearm that was reported missing from the home, although it is not clear if the weapon was involved in last night's fatal shooting.

Detectives have in total arrested six people in connection with the inquiry into the violent death of Mr Blackman, who ran a garage and had three daughters, but only Love has been charged.

Four men remain on police bail.