Met Police Marksman Denies Intent to Kill Chris Kaba
The Met officer who fatally shot Chris Kaba has told a jury he never meant to kill him. PC Martyn Blake, 40, said he aimed at Kaba’s central body mass to stop his car—not to take his life.
Fatal Shooting in South West London
Chris Kaba, 24, was shot in the head on September 5, 2022, in Streatham. Despite emergency medical care, he died in hospital just after midnight on September 6.
The court heard Kaba was driving an Audi Q8 when police boxed him in at Kirkstall Gardens. Attempting to escape, he moved the car forward and backward before Blake fired the fatal shot.
Blake Faces Murder Charge but Denies Intent
On his second day of testimony at the Old Bailey, Blake explained under cross-examination that he fired as trained—aiming for Kaba’s torso over the steering wheel. “I didn’t intend to kill,” Blake said. “My goal was to stop the vehicle.”
Blake also said he believed shooting was necessary to protect his colleagues. “It was the only way I thought I had at the time to stop the vehicle,” he added, insisting he would not have fired again if the car halted.
Prosecutor Challenges Officer’s Story
Prosecutor Tom Little KC pressed Blake on the fact that the bullet, travelling at supersonic speeds, struck Kaba in the head. Little suggested Blake aimed for the head, which Blake denied.
“Firing at the central body mass is almost inevitably going to kill,” Little argued. Blake replied death was possible but said the threat to officers outweighed the risk.
The trial continues with Kaba’s family, including his parents Helen Lumuanganu and Prosper Kaba, attending court.
