No disciplinary proceedings against police officer who shot Chris Kaba

The police marksman who fatally shot Chris Kaba will not face disciplinary proceedings, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed.

Firearms officer Martyn Blake, also known as NX121, was cleared of murder after an Old Bailey trial, but was due to face disciplinary proceedings.

However, after the government changed regulations around police use of force, the IOPC said this will now no longer take place.

IOPC director of engagement Amanda Rowe said Mr Kaba's family have been notified of the decision to withdraw disciplinary proceedings.

A coroner will now decide whether an inquest will take place into the death.

The news was welcomed by the Metropolitan Police Federation and the force's commissioner.

However, Temi Mwale from the Justice for Chris Kaba Campaign said: "We are appalled by the IOPC's decision to abandon disciplinary proceedings against Martyn Blake.

"The extraordinary treatment of Martyn Blake throughout this case sends a dangerous message: when police kill, the system will bend over backwards to protect police officers rather than hold them accountable and deliver justice."

How the shooting unfolded

The 24-year-old was not armed and had both hands on the steering wheel of his vehicle when he was shot in the head by Mr Blake, in Streatham, south London, on 5 September 2022.

He had attempted to use his car to ram his way out of a police stop.

A jury, which was not told Mr Kaba was a core member of a notorious south London gang who was suspected of carrying out a nightclub shooting, deliberated for about three hours before finding Mr Blake not guilty of murder in October 2024.

After the acquittal, then-home secretary Yvette Cooper vowed to raise the legal test used by prosecutors to determine whether to bring charges against police officers over the use of force, into line with the standard used for members of the public.

In January, Mr Kaba's family said they were "devastated" by the IOPC's decision to delay serving Sergeant Martyn Blake with misconduct papers while the legislation change came into effect.

'Our thoughts remain with Chris Kaba's family'

Ms Rowe said the IOPC's "thoughts remain with Chris Kaba's family and friends, and everyone impacted by his death".

She added that: "We are acutely aware of the impact of proceedings for everyone involved in this case and have always sought to avoid any unnecessary delays, however, it was right that we paused progressing disciplinary proceedings until the legislation change came into effect and its impact was clear.

"Having considered both our policy and the representations from the Kaba family and Sergeant Blake, we have today notified them of our decision to withdraw disciplinary proceedings."

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The decision was described as "very much the right decision" by Paula Dodds, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation.

She said it "will not only be welcomed by the officer and his family - but all police officers across London".

"It is imperative that there are policies in place for operational policing which support lawful decisions made by officers, based on their training, so that they should not be placed in fear of the loss of their liberty and livelihood," she added.

The head of the Met Police, Commissioner Mark Rowley, said: "Today's decision finally brings to an end almost four years of uncertainty for NX121, his family and the wider firearms command, with all the considerable worry and stress that has brought."

"We also recognise the profound impact on Chris Kaba's family, who continue to grieve their loss."

Sky News has spent several months with the Met's firearms unit, MO19, for a documentary, titled Firing Point, to be aired later this year.

(c) Sky News 2026: No disciplinary proceedings against police officer who shot Chris Kaba