Martyn Blake, a police officer who fatally shot Chris Kaba in the head during a vehicle stop in south London two years ago, has been cleared of murder. The incident took place in Streatham in September 2022, when Kaba, who was unarmed, was stopped by police due to his vehicle being linked to a shooting in Brixton the previous night.

Blake, 40, testified that he did not intend to kill Kaba but opened fire because he believed one of his colleagues' lives was in imminent danger. Kaba was attempting to ram his way free by driving the Audi backwards and forwards, which led Blake to fear for the safety of his fellow officers. The shot that killed Kaba was fired through the windscreen of the Audi Q8.

During the trial at the Old Bailey, several officers corroborated Blake’s account, with one officer, DS87, stating that he would have fired if Blake hadn’t, and another, E156, saying he was moments away from doing the same. Another officer, NX109, narrowly avoided being dragged by the vehicle as it moved forward.

Following Blake's acquittal, Kaba’s family expressed their devastation, saying, "The not guilty verdict leaves us with the deep pain of injustice adding to the unbearable sorrow we have felt since Chris was killed." They added that Kaba's life was "stolen" from them and that the verdict reflected a systemic failure to value Black lives. Despite the outcome, the family vowed to continue fighting for justice and change.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley acknowledged the verdict, stating that while no officer is above the law, the system for holding firearms officers accountable is broken. Blake, who was suspended during the process, will now be reinstated to his role.

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Bodycam footage of the incident has since been released capturing the moments leading up to the shooting of a man during a police vehicle stop in 2022. Police officer Martyn Blake has been acquitted of the murder of Chris Kaba, whom he fatally shot in the head in south London two years ago.

Blake denied any intention to kill the 24-year-old.

During the trial, he testified: "I genuinely believed there was an imminent threat to life."