A Black motorist named Chris Kaba was shot and killed by a London police marksman, Sgt. Martyn Blake, who was acquitted of murder. Kaba was a member of a violent gang and had allegedly shot a rival a week before he was killed. The shooting took place after Kaba rammed police vehicles during a traffic stop, with Blake firing a single round through the windshield of Kaba’s car. Kaba was found to be unarmed, and prosecutors had charged Blake in a rare case against a British police officer for a death in the line of duty.
During the trial, details of Kaba’s criminal record and gang ties were not presented to the jury as they were deemed irrelevant in determining whether Blake had used unreasonable force. However, after the trial, the news media challenged the restrictions on the information, leading to Justice James Goss lifting the restrictions on information about Kaba’s criminal history and alleged involvement in other shootings. The Metropolitan Police supported the release of this information to prevent anti-police violence, especially during an annual demonstration in London by family members of people who have died in police custody.
Kaba’s mother, Helen Lumuanganu, had requested that the details not be released until an inquest could be held into her son’s death. Dozens of demonstrators held a peaceful protest outside the courthouse where the trial was held, demanding justice for Kaba. The family expressed their gratitude for those who supported them and vowed to continue fighting for justice and change. Evidence from previous trials indicated that Kaba had been involved in multiple shootings, including one where he shot a gang rival multiple times and another where he was linked to a shooting in May.
Kaba had prior convictions for fighting and possession of a knife, as well as serving time in prison for possessing an imitation firearm. He was also facing a possible court order aimed at curbing gang behavior at the time of his death. Fatal shootings by police in the UK are rare, with officers firing their weapons at people 10 times in the year leading up to March 2023, resulting in three deaths. The shooting of Kaba reignited allegations of racism against the Metropolitan Police, also known as Scotland Yard, as they were trying to restore confidence following previous scandals and reviews highlighting institutional issues.
The decision to charge Blake faced backlash from some of his firearms colleagues who refused to carry their weapons in solidarity. The union representing Met police officers supported the lifting of reporting restrictions on Kaba’s gang involvement and believed that Blake should never have faced trial. The release of information about Kaba’s background shed light on the circumstances surrounding his death and the complexity of the case. The aftermath of the trial highlighted tensions between law enforcement and the community, with calls for justice and reform echoing from Kaba’s family and supporters.
