Officer accused of Chris Kaba killing believed there was ‘imminent threat to life’ when he opened fire

14 October 2024, 14:28 | Updated: 22 October 2024, 11:51

The 24-year-old was shot through a windscreen by Martyn Blake, now 40, on September 5, 2022.
The 24-year-old was shot through a windscreen by Martyn Blake, now 40, on September 5, 2022. Picture: PA

By Henry Moore

The police officer who shot Chris Kaba has told jurors he thought there was an "imminent risk" to his colleague's life when he opened fire.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking at the Old Bailey on Monday, marksman Martyn Blake said he was "filled with dread" as the car Mr Kaba was driving approached the police officers.

Mr Kaba, 24, was shot dead by Mr Blake through the windscreen window of the car in south-east London on September 5, 2022.

Mr Kaba allegedly attempted to ram his way past police when he became surrounded.

Mr Blake has denied the murder charges against him.

Read More: Officer accused of Chris Kaba murder ‘had genuine belief’ he and his colleagues would be killed

When asked why he opened fire, Blake said: "I had a genuine belief that there was an imminent threat to life, I thought one or more of my colleagues was about to die.

"I thought I was the only person with effective firearms cover at the time.

Helen Lumuanganu (left), the mother of Chris Kaba, arriving at the Old Bailey, central London, where Metropolitan Police firearms officer Martyn Blake is charged with the murder of Chris in south London on September 6 2022.
Helen Lumuanganu (left), the mother of Chris Kaba, arriving at the Old Bailey, central London, where Metropolitan Police firearms officer Martyn Blake is charged with the murder of Chris in south London on September 6 2022. Picture: Alamy

"If I hadn't acted I thought one of my colleagues would be dead. I felt I had a duty to protect them at the time."

Mr Blake has long maintained he believed his fellow officers were in danger when he opened fire at the 24-year-old.

“The driver drove his vehicle at great speed towards myself [and my colleague] to escape. I had a genuine belief that either of us could be killed and moved right, out of the way”, Blake said in his post-incident account.

“The driver then rammed our car, which was behind me, as well as a parked car and stopped, wedged.

“The male had already shown a propensity to use violence and was happy to use any means to escape and I had a genuine held belief that one or many of my colleagues could be killed by the car, and that the driver would not stop his attempt to escape at any cost.”

He added: “I then made the decision to incapacitate the driver due to the imminent threat to my colleagues and took one aimed shot at the driver. He immediately slumped and the car stopped.”

Prosecutor Tom Little KC argued that “in a number of material respects, that account is false and exaggerated in other parts”.

He claimed there was ‘no justification’ for Mr Kaba to be shot, as he said the efforts to escape a roadblock on Kirkstall Gardens were with speeds that were “not particularly fast”.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Maria Eftimova was 28 when she fell to her death off the Tryfan mountain in Snowdonia.

Influencer fell to death off 3,000ft Snowdonia peak

After she was arrested she told detectives the stabbing was “punishment”.

Al Qaida-inspired student who stabbed MP could walk free from prison

Bank Of England In The City Of London

UK economy shrank by 0.3% in April following Trump Tariffs hit - as Reeves brands figures 'disappointing'

Elderly women watching TV in outpatient clinic waiting room in NHS hospital. UK

NHS should ‘tear up the outpatient model’, health service chief executive says

Brian Wilson passed away aged 82.

Surviving Beach Boys pay tribute to songwriter ‘genius’ Brian Wilson

Palestinians carry boxes and bags containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed organization approved by Israel, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Controversial aid distributer accuses Hamas of carrying out attack on bus transporting Palestinians

A net balance of 28% of professionals reported seeing the number of sales agreed falling. Sales volumes are generally expected to flatten out rather than fall in the three months ahead, the survey indicated.

House sales tipped to bounce back with 'strongest outlook' since February - but buyer interest still slipping

Supporters of Dignity in Dying celebrate on hearing the result of the vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London.

UK doctor says helping patients die in Australia is a ‘tremendous privilege’ and calls for law change at home

The body of Yair Yaakov, 59, has reportedly been recovered.

Two more hostages recovered by Israeli forces in Gaza, Netanyahu says

There were reports of vehicles being damaged and burned out, stolen cars, motorbikes being used and bricks thrown at officers amid the disorder, Greater Manchester Police said.

Girl, 16, charged with assaulting an emergency worker in Salford after ‘60 masked youths’ clash with police

The affected products include the Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, “Misfits” Gummies, Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Berry Gummies, the FSA said.

'Don't eat them': Brits told to avoid popular American sweets linked to cancer amid 'toxicological concern'

A woman has been arrested after a four-year-old boy was found dead in Dunholme End.

Boy, 4, found dead inside Maidenhead home as police arrest woman on suspicion of murder

St Michael's Church, Mytholmroyd

Village church ordered to silence 'cherished' chiming bells after residents' complaints spark huge row

The Bridgerton actress said she has been left with a concussion and "on edge" - and the incident traumatised her dog.

Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour left 'traumatised' after fighting off phone thief who threatened to 'stab' her

Shopper walking through the aisle of a supermarket.

Deadly disease outbreak linked to 'contaminated' UK supermarket item

Demonstrators gathered outside Stoke Newington Police Station in protest against police in schools, after it emerged that a 15-year-old Black girl ('Child Q') was strip-searched by police at a Hackney school, which is thought to be racially motivated.

Officer who strip-searched black schoolgirl while she was on her period admits failings but denies racist motivation