close
close

topicnews · October 23, 2024

Latest updates and reactions to the Chris Kaba verdict as Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley calls for firearms officers to be protected from prosecution following the officer’s acquittal

Latest updates and reactions to the Chris Kaba verdict as Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley calls for firearms officers to be protected from prosecution following the officer’s acquittal

By Jamie Bullen

Published: | Updated:

Advertising

Armed police officers should be given more protection from prosecution following the Chris Kaba verdict, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said.

Sir Mark has called for new exemptions from criminal charges for firearms officers involved in fatal shootings after Sergeant Martyn Blake was acquitted of murdering Kaba during a vehicle stop in 2022.

Mr Blake was acquitted by a jury at the Old Bailey on Monday. The family of Mr Kaba, who turned out to be a gang member and carried out a nightclub shooting days before his death, said the verdict showed that “our lives are not valued by the system”.

Follow the latest updates and reactions to Chris Kaba’s ruling below and join the discussion in our comments section

First, let’s present the current top story on the MailOnline website…

Undated family photo issued by the charity INQUEST of rapper Chris Kaba, who was a "core member" He can now be reported to be a member of one of London's most dangerous criminal gangs and has been directly linked to two shootings in the six days before he was shot dead by police. The 24-year-old is said to have shot a rival in the legs at a nightclub six days before his death in September 2022 and would have been tried for attempted murder had he survived. Issue date: Tuesday October 22, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story COURTS Lambeth. Photo credit should read as follows: Family Handout/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes to simultaneously depict events, things or people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reusing the image may require further permission from the copyright holder.

Chris Kaba’s family tried to stop the press from reporting full details of his criminal and violent past, it turns out.

Mr Kaba, 24, was shot dead by firearms officer Martyn Blake on September 5, 2022, after attempting to flee a police chase in an Audi Q8.

Journalists wanted to tell the full facts behind the fatal shooting of the rapper and gang member – including his violent past – but were prevented from doing so by a series of reporting restrictions during the Old Bailey trial in central London.

The restrictions were lifted on Tuesday after Blake was found not guilty of murdering Mr Kaba, despite claims he shot him “without justification” to prevent his escape.

Good morning

Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage as we bring you the latest updates and reaction to Monday’s Chis Kaba verdict.

Sergeant Martyn Blake was acquitted of murder after Kaba was shot during a vehicle stop in 2022.

It has since been revealed that Kaba was a south London gang member who carried out a nightclub shooting days before his death.

While Sergeant Blake was hailed as a “hero” following his acquittal at the Old Bailey this week, Mr Kaba’s family expressed their anger at the verdict.

Police chiefs, politicians and community leaders have all responded to the case, turning the debate to whether armed officers should be given more protection from prosecution.

Stay with our coverage as we keep you updated on all fallout from the ruling and join the conversation in our comments section so we can reflect your views.

You may also like...