Chris Kaba family condemns acquittal of police officer
Family vows to continue justice fight after officer's acquittal
The family of Chris Kaba has expressed their profound sense of injustice following the acquittal of the police marksman who shot him. Martyn Blake, 40, fired a single bullet through the windscreen of the Audi Q8 that 24-year-old Kaba was driving when armed officers surrounded the vehicle in Streatham, south London. The incident occurred as Kaba attempted to flee. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours on Monday before clearing Mr Blake, who appeared briefly emotional as the verdict was delivered.
Chris Kaba’s family, seated in silence during the court proceedings, later issued a statement expressing their deep pain. “No family should bear the unimaginable grief we have endured. Chris was taken from us, and this decision reflects that his life, and many others like him, do not matter to the system. Our son deserved better,” the statement from the campaign group Inquest read. “The acquittal of Martyn Blake is not just a failure for our family but for all those impacted by police violence.” The family has vowed to continue their fight for justice and meaningful change.
The verdict was described as a “devastating moment” for the family, the community, and the nation by the Justice For Chris Kaba Campaign. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, speaking outside New Scotland Yard, stated that Mr Blake made a split-second decision he believed was necessary to protect his colleagues and the public. “No firearms officer sets out on duty intending to end a life,” Sir Mark said. “Their sole purpose is the protection and preservation of life.” He noted that Mr Blake has faced significant personal and professional sacrifices over the past two years and expressed concern over the lack of support for officers.
The officer who shot Chris Kaba was cleared of murder earlier today.
He should never have been in the dock.
Firearms aren't for show. When an officer says STOP and you decide to continue to RAM police cars and attempt to ESCAPE they are allowed to use lethal force to stop you. pic.twitter.com/AnTDjwA2Zp
— Thomas MORE (@ThomaMore) October 21, 2024
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper acknowledged the case’s challenges, highlighting the deep concerns it raises for communities, police officers, and the affected families. She stressed the importance of respecting the jury’s decision and allowing everyone the space to process the verdict.
Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick called Mr Blake a “hero” and criticised his prosecution as wrong. “The ordeal he [Mr Blake] has gone through is unthinkable. We must support our brave police officers and not subject them to court trials for split-second decisions,” Mr Jenrick said.
On the night of 5 September 2022, a helicopter and six police cars participated in stopping Mr Kaba after his vehicle was linked to a shooting outside a school in Brixton the previous evening. Mr Kaba, aware of being followed, told a friend, “Lish, one sec, I think there is police behind me,” before turning into Kirkstall Gardens, where Mr Blake was located in a marked BMW.
The trial focused on the following 17 seconds, during which the Audi reversed slightly, hit an unmarked car behind, then accelerated forward at an estimated 12 mph, colliding with the BMW and a parked Tesla. Armed officers shouted commands as they surrounded the vehicle. The Audi then reversed at 8 mph, hitting the unmarked Volvo behind, and was stationary when Mr Blake fired his carbine, less than a second later. Mr Kaba, who was unarmed and had no weapons in the car, was shot in the head and died in hospital early the next day.
Prosecutors suggested Mr Blake may have been frustrated and annoyed, arguing that Mr Kaba did nothing to justify the shooting in the seconds before it occurred. They claimed Mr Blake provided a false and exaggerated account, stating that Mr Kaba used his car as a weapon to escape at any cost. Mr Blake, previously known as NX121 before a judge lifted an anonymity order, testified that he was “full of dread” upon hearing wheel-spinning and the engine revving. He maintained that he believed there was an imminent threat to life and felt a duty to protect his colleagues.
One armed officer testified that he would have opened fire if Mr Blake had not, while another said he was seconds away from doing so. Mr Kaba’s shooting led to widespread protests, with his family campaigning for justice.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) handed a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in March last year after an almost seven-month investigation. It will review the case to determine if Mr Blake should face gross misconduct proceedings. IOPC director Amanda Rowe defended the decision to refer the shooting to the CPS, citing careful consideration of significant evidence. She emphasised that the jury’s decision should be respected.
Some Met firearms officers returned their weapons after Mr Blake was charged in September last year. Sir Mark Rowley called for greater legal protections after then Home Secretary Suella Braverman ordered a review. Mr Blake is only the fourth police officer to be charged with murder or manslaughter over a fatal police shooting in England and Wales since 1990. In that time, 83 people have died in such incidents, according to Inquest. Only one on-duty officer, Benjamin Monk, has been found guilty of manslaughter during this period, related to the death of former Aston Villa striker Dalian Atkinson, while none have been convicted of murder.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Express & Star emphasizes the personal and professional sacrifices made by a police marksman acquitted of killing Chris Kaba, highlighting systemic issues in police accountability and public safety concerns.(read more)
- The Guardian examines 13 seconds leading up to Chris Kaba’s fatal shooting by Met officer Martyn Blake, raising questions about police tactics and lethal force accountability.(read more)
- Chris Kaba shooting: Police officer Martyn Blake found not guilty of murder, emphasizing the acquittal of a firearms officer in a 2022 police stop shooting in Streatham, south London.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who was Chris Kaba and how did he die?
Chris Kaba was shot by police marksman Martyn Blake in south London after attempting to flee in his car.
What was the verdict in the Martyn Blake trial?
Martyn Blake was acquitted by the jury after approximately three hours of deliberation.
How did Chris Kaba’s family react to the verdict?
Chris Kaba’s family expressed profound grief and a sense of injustice following the acquittal.
What was Martyn Blake’s defense for shooting Chris Kaba?
Blake claimed he believed there was an imminent threat to life and acted to protect his colleagues.
How did the community and officials respond to the verdict?
Responses varied: the family and community felt devastated, while officials emphasized respecting the jury’s decision.
