Martyn Blake, a UK police officer, has been cleared of murdering Chris Kaba, a 24-year-old black man shot dead in September 2022 in Streatham, London. Kaba was fatally shot while driving an Audi Q8, which had been linked to a previous shooting. Blake, 40, stated that he fired the shot through the car’s windscreen fearing for his colleagues’ safety as Kaba tried to ram through police vehicles blocking his escape.
The verdict, delivered by a jury at the Old Bailey court, has left Kaba’s family devastated, vowing to continue their pursuit of justice. His death sparked protests, with campaigners accusing the police of systemic racism in the treatment of black men.
Blake’s acquittal drew reactions from both supporters and critics. While his Metropolitan Police colleagues had protested his prosecution, Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley defended the officer, noting the emotional and professional toll on him. Rowley criticized the system for holding officers accountable, calling it “broken” and warning that it could deter good officers from performing their duties.
Despite this, prosecutors argued that the shooting was unjustifiable. The case highlighted concerns over the use of firearms by police in the UK, where officers are generally not armed.
