Police officer who shot dead Chris Kaba has '£10k bounty on his head' after he's cleared of murder

The police officer who fatally shot Chris Kaba now reportedly has a "price on his head." Sergeant Martyn Blake, 40, was cleared of murder charges on Monday afternoon.

The shooting on September 5, 2022, occurred after police pursued Mr Kaba's car in Streatham, South London, because the Audi Q8 was implicated in a previous gang-related incident as a getaway vehicle.

When the police cornered the vehicle in Streatham, south London, Kaba turned the car into a "battering ram". As he revved back and forth, nearly pulling the ten officers surrounding him beneath the wheels, Sgt Blake discharged a single lethal shot through the windscreen.

After the jury returned their verdict clearing Sgt Blake of murder, Mr Justice Goss lifted a court order, allowing the media to report on Mr Kaba's involvement in multiple shootings across London as part of the notorious Brixton Hill-based 67 gang.

It is alleged that Mr Kaba, 24, shot a rival in the legs at a nightclub six days before he was killed during a police stop in September 2022. Had he survived, he would have faced trial for attempted murder.

Now, after Despite Sgt Blake was acquitted of murder, it has been reported that he has had to leave his home due to criminals placing a £10,000 bounty on his head as revenge for the shooting.

During a pre-trial hearing, it was revealed that those associated with the gang were "seeking to kill a police officer in retribution for Kaba's death". The Met received three intelligence reports warning of a threat to the officer, who was then known as NX121.

One report stated: "67 Gang seeking information on the identity of NX121 with a view to harming him or his family. A large sum of money was being offered", reports the Mirror.

Another report said: "The sum of money on offer was £10,000... in exchange for personal details of NX121 [including] addresses and vehicle registration marks. The threat of harm was directed at both NX121 and his family."

Authorities have assessed that "the likelihood of consequences following the identification of the officer is very high."

It is understood Sgt Blake is currently "living in a nightmare" due to fears that associates of Mr Kaba might target his loved ones. To safeguard Sgt Blake, the judge recently renewed a restriction on publicising his home address, photographs, or even descriptions of his appearance.

Calls have been made by police officials and MPs for changes to legislation that governs the accountability of armed officers, as discontent around his trial escalated. Amidst mounting outrage, the police oversight body faced demands to halt disciplinary actions that could lead to Sgt Blake's removal from his position, as reported by Mail Online.

However, Scotland Yard expressed hope that he might one day make a comeback to his role in the force, referring to what he once called "the best job".

A judge had initially placed reporting restrictions on Mr Kaba's history because Sgt Blake was unaware of who was driving. However, on Monday it was revealed that Scotland Yard had urgently requested Mr Justice Goss to lift them, concerned about potential violence following Sgt Blake's acquittal.

In an exceptional step, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy cautioned that without lifting the restrictions, the public might be left with "a misleading impression' with 'clear potential for emotions tipping into disorder".