The trial of Met Police firearms officer Martyn Blake kicked off today at the Old Bailey. Blake, 41, faces a jury over the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba in Streatham, South London, last September. He denies the murder charge.
Deadly Police Shooting Rocks Streatham
Chris Kaba, 24, was shot once in the head while driving an Audi that wasn’t his. The dramatic incident followed a collision with a marked police car in Kirkstall Gardens.
Officer Martyn Blake Named Amid Controversy
The firearms officer, initially only known by his badge number NX121, has now been publicly named after a court ruling. Recorder of London Mark Lucraft KC declared there was no immediate threat to Blake or his family at the time of the shooting.
Background and Fallout
- Kaba’s death sparked widespread outrage and protests across London.
- Rapper Stormzy showed solidarity at a recent march for Chris Kaba.
- The case spotlights use of deadly force by police in the capital.
The trial promises to be a landmark moment in the debate over police accountability and community trust in London’s law enforcement.
