Police marksman suspended following fatal shooting
A police marksman has been suspended after investigators launched a homicide investigation into the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old man during an alleged attempt to spring two convicts from a prison van.
Jermaine Baker died from a single gunshot wound on Friday during a police operation close to Wood Green Crown Court in north London where two men were later jailed for 14 years for possessing guns as part of an attempted hit on rival gang members.
A police firearms officer has been suspended as part of the investigation into the shooting by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which stressed that the launch of the inquiry did not necessarily mean that charges would follow.
There was no homicide investigation over the shooting of Mark Duggan, the Tottenham gang member who died after a police operation which sparked nationwide riots in 2011. ScotlandYard said yesterday that it was speaking with the community “to address any concerns raised”.
None of the officers involved in the latest fatal shooting were wearing cameras that will soon become standard issue across the country. But officials for the watchdog said they were interviewing witnesses to the shooting and tests were being carried out on a suspected replica gun found at the scene.
Four men appeared in court yesterday in connection with trying to help Izzet Eren, 32, and Erwin Amoyaw-Gyamfi, 29, escape from custody. Two are also accused of possession of an imitation firearm.
DeputyAssistant Commissioner Peter Terry, of Scotland Yard, said: “The exact circumstances that led to Mr Baker’s death must be thoroughly and independently examined. That is the role of the IPCC. It is only through establishing the full facts, as quickly as possible, that the best interests of justice and of all those affected can be served. As this is an ongoing investigation we must all await the IPCC’s findings before drawing any conclusions or speculating on what has taken place.”
Mr Terry added: “Our firearms officers, who are all volunteers, do a job that is difficult and often dangerous. They all fully understand, quite rightly, that they will need to account for their actions if they use lethal force. The IPCC will receive our fullest possible support with their investigation.
“All of our officers involved in Friday’s operation are receiving all the possible support we can provide. This is a very difficult time for everyone affected by the death of Mr Baker.”
Firearms officers must account for any use of lethal force