Met officer who shot Chris Kaba is acquitted of murder

A Metropolitan Police marksman has been acquitted of murdering unarmed driver Chris Kaba in a police shooting.

- AMY-CLARE MARTIN

Jurors took almost three hours to find Martyn Blake, 40, not guilty of murder in a unanimous verdict following a three-week trial at London’s Old Bailey.

The firearms officer shot the 24-year-old in the forehead through the windscreen of an Audi Q8 in Streatham, south London, during a police stop on 5 September 2022.

The prosecution alleged that it was “not necessary” for the officer to fire his gun after armed police had boxed in the 24year-old driver. They also claimed the police officer’s initial account of the shooting was “false” in some parts and “exaggerated” in others, the trial heard.

However Mr Blake, who denied murder, insisted he feared for his life and his fellow officer’s safety after Kaba had tried to smash and ram his way out.

In a statement after the court hearing, Kaba’s family said they were “devastated”, adding: “Our son deserved better. The acquittal of Martyn Blake isn’t just a failure for our family but for all those affected by police violence.”

The verdict reignited debate over police accountability, with Conservative Party leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick hailing the officer a “hero” in a post on X/Twitter as he branded the decision to prosecute him “wrong”.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) defended the decision to press charges, arguing the test was met after an “indepth consideration” of the evidence.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley announced the officer’s suspension from duties will be immediately lifted as he reiterated concerns the system holding police to account is “broken”.

The trial heard the Audi that Kaba was driving had been used as a getaway vehicle in a shooting in nearby Brixton the night before and was followed when a police officer recognised the number plate.