Met Police Driver Feared Colleague Would Be Run Over Before Fatal Shooting
A Met Police driver told the Old Bailey he feared his colleague was about to be run over moments before Chris Kaba was shot dead by a police firearms officer in Streatham, south-east London. The dramatic scene unfolded on September 5, 2022, and is now at the centre of a murder trial.
Firearms Officer on Trial for Chris Kaba’s Death
Martyn Blake, 40, is standing trial for the murder of 24-year-old Chris Kaba, who was shot after driving an Audi Q8 linked to a Brixton shooting getaway the night before. Despite the earlier incident, no shotgun or suspects from that shooting were found.
Moment of Chaos as Audi Reverses at Police
The officer identified as AY3 was driving an unmarked police car behind the Audi. He said his colleague, known only as NX109, nearly got run over twice while approaching the Audi’s driver side.
“He had almost been taken under the wheels, twice actually,” AY3 told jurors, fearing NX109 was at risk of being “scooped up by the rear wheels of the Audi.”
Kaba allegedly tried to escape by ramming the Audi between a marked police car and a parked vehicle. As the car moved in reverse towards the officers, the tension escalated rapidly.
Officer Fires Fatal Shot, Claims Imminent Threat
Blake fired a single fatal shot through the Audi’s windscreen, hitting Kaba. He told investigators he acted because he perceived an “imminent threat” to life after the Audi reversed at speed towards police.
After the shot, AY3 heard calls of “shots fired” and “headshot”. He helped perform CPR on Kaba until paramedics arrived.
Blake says he repeatedly shouted, “Armed police, show me your hands”, before Kaba sped towards them. He believed he or his colleagues could have been killed if he hadn’t acted.
Trial Continues as Jury Hears More Evidence
The trial is ongoing with further testimony expected on the chain of events that led to Chris Kaba’s tragic death.
