Met Police Officer accused of murder following Chris Kaba shooting named for first time
Chris Kaba was shot once in the head in September 2022
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The Met Police Officer accused of murdering Chris Kaba has been named for the first time.
Martyn Blake, 40, has been named as the officer who shot the 24-year-old in the head in Streatham, south London, in September 2022.
On the day of the shooting, Kaba was driving an Audi that did not belong to him and collided with a marked police car, before he was shot through the vehicle's windscreen.
He died in the early hours of the following day.
Protests took place following Chris Kaba's death
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The officer was initially identified only as NX121, but Recorder of London Mark Lucraft KC ruled that naming him, as is normal practice in criminal cases involving adult defendants, posed no real or immediate risk to his life or that of his family.
Members of Kaba’s family were in court at the Old Bailey on Friday as the officer was publicly named for the first time.
Appearing in the dock, Blake spoke to confirm his name and date of birth, and pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder.
The Metropolitan Police Federation said: "The colleagues we represent are hugely shocked, saddened and concerned over the decision to name the firearms officer involved in this incident".
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Kaba was shot after colliding with a marked police car
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SO Secretary Rick Prior said: "We still await the results of the Home Office's 'accountability review' into operational policing but it goes without saying that our police officers must have full confidence that they have the protection needed to do this difficult and dangerous job society expects of them.
"Being a firearms officer in London is one of the world's toughest jobs.
"Officers, who volunteer for the role, know the responsibility and accountability that comes with it.
"It is a job like no other and they need fairness when it comes to scrutiny.
"As a Federation, we can reassure our members that we continue to support the officer and his family at this difficult time; and will work to mitigate any risks this decision from the courts might bring.
"We also continue to provide support to those brave colleagues who willingly undertake this challenging firearms role every day to keep Londoners safe."
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Anonymity for NX121, a firearms officer charged with murder following the police shooting of Chris Kaba, has been partially lifted today, Friday 8 March, following a previous ruling by the trial judge.
"This means the officer can be named, and their date of birth reported. Their address, image and any detailed description continues to be protected. A trial is due to begin on 2 October.”
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