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BOSSIP has reported on far more fatal police shootings and police brutality cases than we care for. An overwhelming amount of those stories are about Black Americans being accosted, tortured, abused, and killed by American law enforcement officers. However, the United States is far from the only country where Black bodies are subjected to violence by armed men with uniforms and badges.
According to reporting from Reuters, an officer from the Metropolitan Police in London has been acquitted of the murder of an unarmed Black man. 40-year-old Martyn Blake gunned down Chris Kaba on Sept. 5, 2022, when he fired a single round through the windshield of Kaba’s vehicle. Kaba was allegedly connected to a previous shooting and attempted to flee officers when Blake killed him. After a 3-week trial in London’s Old Bailey court, Blake was acquitted of murder and will return to the police force as his suspension has been lifted.
Says Mark Rowley, head of the Metro police:
“Any fatal use of force understandably prompts huge concern among communities, particularly in Black communities where trust in policing is low,” he said. “There remains much for us to do to strengthen confidence in our service.”
The fatal shooting sparked protests from Black residents in the city. Reuters noted that a 2023 independent audit of the department concluded that it was racist, misogynistic, and homophobic with a complete inability to hold itself accountable for violations of civil rights. In fact, since 2013, 28 people have been killed by Metro police but only Blake and one other officer were referred to prosecutors.
Says the family:
Kaba’s family said in a statement issued by the charity Inquest that they were left with “the deep pain of injustice adding to the unbearable sorrow we have felt since Chris was killed.”
The statement added: “The acquittal of Martyn Blake isn’t just a failure for our family, but for all those affected by police violence.”
Rest in peace, Chris Kaba. Hopefully, the doors of justice are not closed on this case and the family can see accountability for their heartbreaking loss.