Met Police Officer Walks Free Over Fatal 2015 Shooting
A Metropolitan Police officer known only as W80 has been cleared in a high-profile misconduct hearing over the 2015 shooting of Jermaine Baker. The panel at Palestra House dismissed the case on October 15, ending years of legal battles.
“The decision of the panel is that we find there is no case for W80 to answer in these proceedings and accordingly the case against W80 is dismissed,” said hearing chairman Chris McKay. “Full reasons will follow in the next five working days.”
Deadly Follow-Up to Dramatic Prisoner Snatch Plot
Jermaine Baker, a father of two from Tottenham, was fatally shot at close range outside Wood Green Crown Court during a daring attempt to snatch two prisoners in December 2015. Officer W80, a counter-terrorism firearms specialist, fired believing Baker was reaching for a gun. Baker, however, was unarmed and sat in the front passenger seat of a stolen Audi A6.
An imitation firearm was later found hidden in the rear of the vehicle, the hearing was told.
Years of Scrutiny End as Officer Cleared
The decision follows years of legal wrangling over the use of force by W80. Accused of breaching professional standards, the officer has now been fully cleared. The thwarted plot targeted Izzet Eren and his co-defendant as they were moved from Wormwood Scrubs for sentencing on firearms charges.
Several men involved in the audacious prison break attempt were jailed in 2016, closing a dramatic chapter in the case.
