The police officer who shot Chris Kaba has told a jury he did not intend to kill him.
Martyn Blake told the Old Bailey that he opened fire to stop the Audi car Mr Kaba was driving, aiming for the centre of his body.
Mr Blake is accused of murder, which he denies.
The 24-year-old was shot in the head in Streatham, south London, on 5 September 2022. He died in hospital shortly after midnight the following day.
Jurors have already been told that Mr Kaba was hemmed in by police cars in Kirkstall Gardens and drove the Audi forwards and backwards in an attempt to escape.
Members of Mr Kaba’s family were in court as the trial continued on Tuesday.
Under cross-examination by prosecutor Tom Little KC, Mr Blake said: “I aimed my firearm at the central body mass as we are trained to do, over the steering wheel.
“Obviously I was aware that the bullet would hit his body at some point but I didn’t intend to kill.”
He went on: “It was the only way I thought I had at the time to stop the vehicle.”
The officer added: “If I had fired and the vehicle had stopped I would not have fired again.”
Mr Little said the “supersonic” bullet, which travels at 800 metres per second, hit Mr Kaba in the head.
He said: “I suggest to you that’s where you were aiming.”
Mr Blake replied: “No.”
Mr Little said: “Discharge of a firearm towards the central body mass of an individual is almost inevitably going to kill them.”
Mr Blake replied: “It does depend… It’s a possibility, I accepted that at the time, but I felt that the threat to my colleagues was such that I had to take that action at the time.”
The trial continues.
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HeadlineMet Police officer who shot Chris Kaba says he ‘didn’t intend to kill’
Short HeadlineMet Officer: 'I didn't intend to kill' Chris Kaba
StandfirstMartyn Blake has been giving evidence at the Old Bailey.
The police officer who shot Chris Kaba has told a jury he did not intend to kill him.
Martyn Blake told the Old Bailey that he opened fire to stop the Audi car Mr Kaba was driving, aiming for the centre of his body.
Mr Blake is accused of murder, which he denies.
The 24-year-old was shot in the head in Streatham, south London, on 5 September 2022. He died in hospital shortly after midnight the following day.
Jurors have already been told that Mr Kaba was hemmed in by police cars in Kirkstall Gardens and drove the Audi forwards and backwards in an attempt to escape.
Members of Mr Kaba’s family were in court as the trial continued on Tuesday.
Under cross-examination by prosecutor Tom Little KC, Mr Blake said: “I aimed my firearm at the central body mass as we are trained to do, over the steering wheel.
“Obviously I was aware that the bullet would hit his body at some point but I didn’t intend to kill.”
He went on: “It was the only way I thought I had at the time to stop the vehicle.”
The officer added: “If I had fired and the vehicle had stopped I would not have fired again.”
Mr Little said the “supersonic” bullet, which travels at 800 metres per second, hit Mr Kaba in the head.
He said: “I suggest to you that’s where you were aiming.”
Mr Blake replied: “No.”
Mr Little said: “Discharge of a firearm towards the central body mass of an individual is almost inevitably going to kill them.”
Mr Blake replied: “It does depend… It’s a possibility, I accepted that at the time, but I felt that the threat to my colleagues was such that I had to take that action at the time.”
