Sgt Martyn Blake who shot Chris Kaba faces misconduct probe

Sgt Martyn Blake, the Metropolitan Police officer who fatally shot Chris Kaba in September 2022 and was later cleared of murder, will now face a gross misconduct hearing, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Blake, a member of the specialist firearms unit MO19, shot 24-year-old Kaba in the head during a police stop in Streatham, south London, on 5 September 2022. The incident occurred after Kaba allegedly attempted to ram through a police roadblock.

Following a full trial, a jury found Blake not guilty of murder, a verdict strongly supported by the Metropolitan Police. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor expressed the Met’s opposition to further disciplinary action, saying: “We made strong representations that he should not face any further action due to the extensive evidence tried and tested at court and the not guilty verdict returned by the jury.”

However, the IOPC defended its decision to proceed with misconduct proceedings, stating it was: “Based on examining all the evidence [and] views of all parties.”

The upcoming gross misconduct hearing could lead to disciplinary action against Blake if it is determined that he breached professional standards during the fatal shooting.

The death of Chris Kaba, a Black man and aspiring rapper, sparked widespread protests and national discussions about police use of force, racial bias, and accountability within UK law enforcement.

This remains a developing story. Further details will be released as the investigation and disciplinary process move forward.