The police officer who shot and killed Chris Kaba in south London in September 2022 has told a jury that he believed his actions were “lawful, proportionate, and necessary” as he acted to protect the lives of his colleagues. The officer, Martyn Blake, 40, made the comments in statements during investigations by the Metropolitan Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Blake is accused of murdering 24-year-old Kaba by shooting him in the head through the windscreen of an Audi during a police stop in Streatham. Blake denies the charge, stating that he believed Kaba was using his car as a weapon and posed an imminent danger to officers at the scene.
Blake, a trained firearms officer, expressed his sympathy to Kaba’s family, acknowledging the “enormous distress” the death has caused them. “I am truly sorry that this is the case. It is absolutely right that they should grieve and want an explanation and want answers,” Blake said.
The incident occurred after police had been searching for the Audi, which had been linked to reports of gunshots in Brixton the previous night. According to Blake’s statement, Kaba appeared to be attempting to flee the police when his car was boxed in by officers. Blake described how Kaba drove forward and then reversed into a police car, ignoring commands to stop.
“There was a lot of noise and shouting of armed police,” Blake said, describing the scene as chaotic and tense. He stated that he was filled with “dread” as the car engine roared and Kaba continued to try to escape. Blake explained that he believed his colleagues were in imminent danger of being run over by the car if it moved.
Blake said that he had tried to deter Kaba by pointing a laser sight at him, but it failed to stop the vehicle. As officers moved closer to the car, Blake believed there was no other choice but to incapacitate the driver to prevent the car from moving and killing officers.
“In that split second, the only thing appropriate to do was to incapacitate the driver,” Blake said. He defended his decision to fire his weapon, stating, “I fired to save the lives of my colleagues.
Blake concluded by saying he believed he had “no other legal option available” and that his actions prevented a situation where “one or more of my colleagues” could have died.
The trial continues at the Old Bailey, where the jury will consider whether Blake’s actions were justified under the circumstances.
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