London police officer acquitted over deadly shooting of Black man

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - A London police officer who fatally shot an unarmed Black man two years ago has been acquitted of murder, following a high-profile trial that sparked significant public attention.

Martyn Blake, a 40-year-old marksman with the Metropolitan Police, was cleared by a London jury on Monday in the death of 24-year-old Chris Kaba.

The shooting occurred on Sept. 5, 2022, in the Streatham Hill area of south London, where Kaba, driving an Audi, was intercepted by police who believed the vehicle was linked to a shooting the previous day.

The court heard that after police boxed in Kaba’s car, he attempted to drive away, ramming police vehicles in an effort to escape. In response, Blake fired a single shot through the windshield, killing Kaba.

Blake maintained throughout the trial that he acted out of a belief that his colleagues were in "imminent" danger and that he intended only to incapacitate Kaba, not kill him.

"My whole intention was to stop that vehicle, which I thought was about to run my colleagues over," Blake said during his testimony, British media reported on Monday.

Prosecutors, however, argued that the officer’s decision to fire the fatal shot was not justified. Tom Little, prosecuting, told the jury that Blake's actions were neither "reasonably justified or justifiable."

The case has drawn widespread attention, particularly within Black communities, leading to protests and demonstrations calling for justice. Blake was suspended from duty following the incident, amid growing anger and frustration over the shooting.

The case has reignited debates around police conduct, the use of force, and racial tensions in the UK.

Kaba's death, and the subsequent trial, have been the focus of calls for greater police accountability, especially in incidents involving Black individuals.