Chris Kaba shooting: Police officer not guilty of murder
Officer Exonerated In Chris Kaba's Death
Image credit: PA Media
In September 2022, Chris Kaba was shot during a traffic stop by the police in Streatham, located in south London.
Liz Jackson and Jeremy Britton
A police officer has been found not guilty of the murder of a man whom he shot in the head in South London two years prior.
Martyn Blake, age 40, fired his weapon at Chris Kaba, who was not armed, during a traffic stop in Streatham in September 2022. The officer claimed that he did not intend to take Kaba's life but was worried that there were threats to people's safety.
Mr. Kaba's family expressed that they felt deeply wronged and were filled with heartache.
However, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley stated that "no police officer is above the law, but the way we hold firearms officers accountable is flawed."
Mr. Blake, who claimed he had no intention of killing the 24-year-old, let out a deep sigh when the jury announced their decision. However, he showed no other emotional response to the not guilty verdict.
The Metropolitan Police announced that the officer, who was on suspension during the investigation, will be returned to duty right away.
Image credit: PA Media
Helen Lumuanganu and Prosper Kaba, the parents of Chris Kaba, arriving at the Old Bailey on Monday.
During the proceedings at the Old Bailey, the court was informed that Mr. Kaba was expecting to become a father.
The police were trailing him because the Audi he was driving was connected to a shooting that had taken place in Brixton the previous night.
Jurors were told that Mr. Kaba was repeatedly driving back and forth in an attempt to break free. Mr. Blake mentioned that this behavior led him to fear that one of his fellow officers might be in danger of dying, prompting him to open fire to prevent the car from escaping.
A fellow firearms officer, referred to as DS87, mentioned that he would have fired his weapon if Mr. Blake hadn't done so first. Another officer, identified by the code E156, stated he was just "a fraction of a second" from pulling the trigger himself.
Another individual, identified as NX109, had his glove snagged on the Audi's door handle. He managed to pull his hand loose just in time as the vehicle started to move forward. He informed the jury that he feared he would be caught between the Audi and a Tesla parked next to it.
Mr. Kaba passed away from a single gunshot that was shot through the front window of the Audi Q8.
Mr. Blake explained to the court, "I sincerely believed that there was an immediate danger to someone's life."
"If I hadn't taken action, I believed one of my coworkers might not have survived."
The body camera video reveals the moments leading up to the shooting of Chris Kaba.
Following Mr. Kaba's death, the shooting ignited protests nationwide, with rapper Stormzy joining hundreds of demonstrators to stand in solidarity with his family.
Signs that said "Black Lives Matter" and "Justice for Chris Kaba" were raised high.
After Mr. Blake was found not guilty, Mr. Kaba's family expressed their feelings, stating: "The verdict has left us with a profound sense of unfairness, which adds to the immense grief we have been experiencing since Chris's tragic death."
"No family should have to go through the unimaginable sorrow we have experienced. Chris was taken from us, and this decision reflects how little value the system places on his life — and the lives of many others like him. Our son deserved so much more."
Their statement added: "The decision to clear Martyn Blake is not merely a disappointment for our family, but for everyone impacted by police brutality."
The family expressed their gratitude to those who have supported them and stated, "Even with this ruling, our voices won’t be muffled." They are committed to "continuing the fight for Chris, seeking justice, and advocating for genuine change."
The panel, consisting of nine men and three women, came to their conclusion after discussing the case for roughly three hours.
After the verdict was reached, Mr. Justice Goss expressed his gratitude, acknowledging their hard work and attentiveness throughout the trial.
Sir Mark stated that Mr. Blake has made significant personal and professional sacrifices in the two years following the shooting.
He stated that the officer had to make an instant choice based on what he thought was required to safeguard his fellow officers and ensure the safety of London.
Sir Mark also expressed criticism regarding the methods employed to hold police officers accountable for using lethal force.
"I'm concerned about the inadequate support officers receive for their efforts, but more than anything, I'm worried about the general public," he stated.
"When we undermine the morale of dedicated officers, their ability to combat crime diminishes, which could lead to a less secure London."
Check out "In Court: Chris Kaba Killing - Police Officer on Trial," available to listen to twice a week on BBC Sounds.
The independent body that oversees police conduct, known as the IOPC, will now evaluate if Mr. Blake should be subject to a disciplinary hearing.
Amanda Rowe, the director of the IOPC, expressed, "The recent weeks must have been extremely challenging and painful for Chris's family as they attended the trial, heard all the testimonies, and watched a reenactment of his last moments in the courtroom."
"We acknowledge the effect this trial has had on the officer concerned, along with his fellow firearms officers and the broader law enforcement community."
She expressed, "We understand that this trial has captured a lot of public attention, especially among our Black communities."
Frank Ferguson of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stated that the choice to pursue the case was determined "after thoroughly reviewing all the evidence at hand."
He stated, "We understand that officers who handle firearms face immense pressure. However, it's our duty to present cases to a jury that meet the criteria for prosecution, and we're confident that those criteria were fulfilled in this instance."
Thus, it was appropriate for the matter to be presented to the jury for their careful examination and determination.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper remarked, “The case surrounding Chris Kaba's death has been challenging for the past two years. It has raised significant worries for communities and police officers, and has understandably caused great distress for the families directly impacted.”
It is very uncommon for police officers to face criminal charges for their actions while performing their duties. Every day, officers nationwide put in significant effort, demonstrating courage and honesty to protect the community.
She emphasized the significance of police establishing trust within the communities they serve, while also highlighting the necessity for officers to receive the support and assurance they require to effectively carry out their challenging role in ensuring our safety.
She mentioned that the government was dedicated to collaborating with law enforcement to enhance public trust moving forward.
London's Mayor, Sadiq Khan, acknowledged the effect that Mr. Kaba's death has had and recognized the "anger, pain, and fear it has generated."
"I acknowledge the jury's choice today after thoroughly reviewing a significant amount of evidence, which included footage from the event," he stated.
"In London, our approach to policing is based on the agreement of the public. Whenever there is a fatality involving the police, it is crucial that a comprehensive and careful investigation takes place, and that's exactly what has occurred in this instance."
He noted that there is a significant issue with trust in the police, especially among the black community, which needs to be tackled. However, he remains committed to collaborating with the government to support and hold the Metropolitan Police accountable. His aim is to ensure that lessons are learned and that the Met earns the trust of all London residents as efforts continue to create a safer environment for everyone.
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