Chris Kaba Streatham death- Met says inquest 'not in public interest'

The comments were made during a pre-inquest review at Southwark Coroner’s Court yesterday (October 1).

Mr Kaba, 24, was shot by Sergeant Martyn Blake in September 2022 in Streatham, south-east London.

The 24-year-old had attempted to force his way past police vehicles in an Audi linked to previous firearms incidents.

James Harman, deputy assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan Police, said: "The circumstances around Chris Kaba’s death have already been fully established during the independent IOPC investigation and criminal trial.

"While our thoughts remain with Mr Kaba’s family for their loss, resuming the inquest and duplicating the investigations that have already taken place is not in the public interest."

Martyn Blake, known publicly as NX121, was cleared of murder following a trial at the Old Bailey in October 2024.

The decision not to pursue disciplinary action was confirmed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in August.

Matthew Ryder KC, representing the Kaba family, said it would be "astonishing" and "highly unusual" if there was not an inquest into his death.

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He told the court: "They want there to be an investigation to provide at least an opportunity to find out if the officer acted unreasonably in perceiving their son as a threat for which lethal force was needed."

He added that it would allow the family to be "involved in broader issues of fact finding".

Mr Ryder said the family wanted to find out “why did this police officer shoot our son?”

The senior coroner, Dr Julian Morris, is expected to decide whether to resume a full inquest around the end of the year or beginning of next year.