Metropolitan Police Firearms Officer Martyn Blake Named in Murder Trial of Chris Kaba

A Metropolitan Police firearms officer, Martyn Blake, previously known as NX121, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Chris Kaba in Streatham, south London. The incident, which occurred on 6 September 2022, resulted in the tragic death of 24-year-old Kaba from a single gunshot wound during a Met operation.

Appearing at the Old Bailey, Martyn Blake, aged 40, entered his plea in front of Judge Mark Lucraft. The officer had been granted anonymity due to threats against him, but the judge decided to lift the anonymity order as the trial approaches, citing the importance of openness in the justice system.

Chris Kaba was shot in the head through the windscreen of his car after being stopped by police in Streatham. He passed away in the early hours of the following day, leading to a legal process that has now revealed the identity of Martyn Blake.

Following the decision to name the officer, Anita Sharmar, representing Kaba’s family through the charity Inquest, expressed support for the judge’s ruling. She highlighted the importance of transparency in such cases, emphasizing that the accused should be publicly named.

Rick Prior, the secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation, expressed shock and concern over the naming of Martyn Blake, emphasizing the need for officers to have confidence in the protection they receive while carrying out their challenging duties.

The lifting of the anonymity order comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of police practices, with the Home Office conducting an ‘accountability review’ into operational policing. The decision to reveal Martyn Blake’s identity sets the stage for a trial scheduled to commence on 2 October.