Met Police Officer Martyn Blake on Trial for Chris Kaba Shooting
The trial of Met Police officer Martyn Blake, accused of murdering Chris Kaba, is gripping London as it enters its third week. Blake, 40, stands charged over the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Kaba, a father-to-be, during a police stop in Streatham Hill on September 5, 2022.
Prosecution Hits Back: No Justification for the Fatal Shot
Prosecutor Tom Little KC tore into Blake’s claim of self-defence, saying the officer’s decision to fire was “not reasonably justified or justifiable.” The Audi Kaba was in had stopped, and his hands were off the wheel when Blake shot him. Little branded parts of Blake’s story about facing an “imminent threat” as “exaggerated” or outright “false.” The key issue: Did Blake really believe his life was in danger?
Crucial Witnesses Paint Bleak Picture for Blake
- Tactical Firearms Commander (HA62) called Blake “calm” and “collected,” dismissing any suggestion the officer lost his cool.
- Tactical Firearms Adviser (AC38)/strong backed the aggressive "enforced stop" tactic, insisting letting the Audi escape would have been “hugely wrong.”
- DS87, standing next to Blake when the gun went off, said he feared being crushed by the car: “I felt in fear for my life.”
- AY3 warned of the deadly risk of standing in front of the Audi – the so-called “triangle of death” – and said a colleague nearly got run over twice.
- NX109 narrowly escaped being pulled between vehicles while trying to open Kaba’s car door.
- E156 revealed he was on the verge of firing himself, wrongly thinking he had already shot Kaba. “I thought one of my colleagues was going to get killed,” he said.
Emotional Scenes as Kaba’s Family Faces Heartbreaking Footage
At the Old Bailey, tears flowed as police bodycam footage showed armed officers swarming around Kaba’s Audi. His mother, Helen Lumuanganu, was visibly distraught. Blake offered his condolences in a statement, acknowledging the “enormous distress” caused to Kaba’s family.
Kaba’s friend Elisha Fizul gave a chilling account of their last phone call. She said Kaba mentioned police behind him moments before the line went silent.
Next Steps: Blake to Take the Stand
With the prosecution wrapping up, Blake is expected to give evidence at the Old Bailey on Monday, October 14. The defence case will then begin in earnest as the courtroom drama continues.
