Chris Kaba: Family to hold vigil marking three years since fatal shooting

THE FAMILY of Chris Kaka are set to hold a vigil this week marking three years since the fatal shooting.

Metropolitan Police firearms officer, Martyn Blake, fatally shot Mr Kaba during a police stop, but was later found not guilty of murder at a high-profile trial at the Old Bailey in October 2024.

Mr Kaba’s family say the vigil will be a space for “reflection, remembrance and solidarity.”

Writing on Instagram, via the @JusticeforChrisKaba page, they said: “On Friday, 5 September 2025, it will be three years since Chris Kaba was shot and killed by firearms officer Martn Blake in Streatham Hill.

“We will gather where Chris’s life was taken, to honour him, to stand with his family, and to continue resisting until answers are given and accountability is real.”

Chris Kaba vigil

“This vigil is a space for reflection, remembrance and solidarity. Bring candles, flowers, banners, and your presence. Together we will hold Chris in love and make it clear that his life mattered, and still matters to his loved ones, his community and all who stand against state violence.

“You for friends, your families and communities are invited to stand with Chris’s family.”

They added: “Together we remember Chris. Together we continue to resist.”

High-profile court case

During the trial, the court heard a statement from Blake which he gave to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in which he said that Mr Kaba’s shooting was “lawful, proportionate, and necessary” to protect colleagues.

Blake said he believed his colleagues were in “grave danger” of being crushed or killed by Mr Kaba’s car, which was driven at “great speed.”

He described the situation as “extremely violent and dangerous” and confirmed he “took one aimed shot at the driver.”

Mr Kaba died after a gunshot wound to the forehead.

He expressed regret for Kaba’s death telling the watchdog: “These events have had a considerable effect on me. The fact I’ve taken the life of another was deeply shocking,” but maintained he acted “lawfully and appropriately to save the lives of my colleagues” and was “truly sorry” for the distress caused to Kaba’s family.

The court heard that the Audi Kaba was driving on the night he was killed had been linked to a shooting in Brixton the previous night.

According to the statement Kaba tried to escape by driving forward and reversing into a police car after being blocked in. Blake said it was his ‘unequivocal belief’ believed Kaba was using the car as a weapon.

In March 2024, Blake was publicly named as the officer involved in the fatal shooting after a judge’s decision to lift an anonymity order.

Blake had previously been only referred to as NX121.

Following challenges from a number of media organisations Judge Mark Lucraft reversed the order.

The Chris Kaba vigil will be held at Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill, SW2 4HR, on Friday 5 September 2025, at 7pm.