Arrest over custody centre murder of Sgt Matt Ratana

A 23-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Metropolitan Police Sergeant Matt Ratana, who was shot at a custody centre in south London almost two months ago.

The New Zealand-born custody sergeant was shot in the chest in the early hours of Sept 25 at a police station in Croydon. He was taken to hospital but later died from his wounds.

Louis De Zoysa had been in a critical condition in hospital since the incident where he was being treated for a gunshot wound. Police said the suspect in the shooting had been too ill to be interviewed but his condition had since stabilised and he was no longer thought to be in a life-threatening state.

Scotland Yard said the suspect was considered fit to be arrested on suspicion of murder yesterday.

The man remains in hospital, and officers will liaise with medical and legal teams in assessing when he will be fit for interview, police said.

Speaking after a 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of Sgt Matt Ratana’s murder, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said: “Matt’s loss hit the Met and the wider world everywhere very hard.

“He was a great officer with wonderful qualities, and so many people have been impacted by his loss… You are aware a person was arrested for other offences before that, and after Matt was killed that person went to hospital. They have been very unwell but their condition has now stabilised and improved sufficiently for us to be able to arrest him for murder today.

“So, a 23-year- old man has been arrested for the murder of Matt Ratana.

“It ’s an important milestone and hopefully it brings some tiny comfort to Matt’s partner, Su, Matt’s wider family and everyone who has been affected.

“The investigation is moving on into a dreadful, dreadful homicide.”