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Azelle Rodney death: 'No justification' for police shooting Azelle Rodney death: 'No justification' for police shooting
(35 minutes later)
Police had no lawful justification for shooting dead a 24-year-old man in north London eight years ago, an inquiry has found. Police had no lawful justification for shooting dead a man in north London eight years ago, a report says.
Azelle Rodney was shot six times in Edgware after the car he was in was stopped by Met Police officers in 2005. Azelle Rodney, 24, was shot six times in Edgware after the car he was in was stopped by Met Police officers in 2005.
One officer, known only as E7, who said he opened fire because he believed Mr Rodney was reaching for a gun could face criminal charges. An officer known as E7, who said he opened fire because he believed Mr Rodney was reaching for a gun, could now face criminal charges.
Mr Rodney's mother, Susan Alexander, has demanded an apology from the Met. Mr Rodney's mother, Susan Alexander, has demanded an apology from the Met for his "execution".
Former High Court judge Sir Christopher Holland has released his findings following the public inquiry into the death.Former High Court judge Sir Christopher Holland has released his findings following the public inquiry into the death.
He said E7 "could not rationally have believed" that Mr Rodney had picked up a firearm.He said E7 "could not rationally have believed" that Mr Rodney had picked up a firearm.
Ms Alexander said the report backed her view that her son was executed. Ms Alexander said she believed not one of the eight shots fired at her son were "lawfully discharged by the officer concerned".
"The police owe me an apology for the unlawful killing of my son," she said. "When I gave evidence to the inquiry on September 4 2012, I said that it seemed to me that Azelle was executed," said Ms Alexander
Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) had referred the case against E7 to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). "The chairman's report, after detailed study of the evidence, is that he is sure and satisfied he shares my view.
"The fact that he was strongly suspected in being involved in crime does not justify him or anyone else being summarily killed.
"The police owe me an apology for the unlawful killing of my son. I await an apology from the commissioner himself."
'Career criminal''Career criminal'
Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) had referred the case against E7 to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
"I have read the findings carefully and want to express my personal sympathy to Mr Rodney's family," Mr Hogan-Howe said."I have read the findings carefully and want to express my personal sympathy to Mr Rodney's family," Mr Hogan-Howe said.
"The Met Police Service deeply regrets his death, and I recognise how distressing the inquiry must have been for them.""The Met Police Service deeply regrets his death, and I recognise how distressing the inquiry must have been for them."
Mr Rodney, who was described in the report as a "mid-level career criminal", was killed when the VW Golf he was in was stopped by police who had it under surveillance for several hours.Mr Rodney, who was described in the report as a "mid-level career criminal", was killed when the VW Golf he was in was stopped by police who had it under surveillance for several hours.
E7 told the inquiry he opened fire after fearing the gang had a sub-machine gun in the car.E7 told the inquiry he opened fire after fearing the gang had a sub-machine gun in the car.
'Naked, violent aggression''Naked, violent aggression'
Three guns were found in the Golf - a Colt .45 calibre pistol, a Baikal pistol and a smaller gun described as looking like a key fob.Three guns were found in the Golf - a Colt .45 calibre pistol, a Baikal pistol and a smaller gun described as looking like a key fob.
Lawyers for Ms Alexander claimed he was the victim of "naked, violent aggression" and was unlawfully killed.Lawyers for Ms Alexander claimed he was the victim of "naked, violent aggression" and was unlawfully killed.
During the inquiry, Sir Christopher considered issues including what information the police team had, how reliable it was, whether their approach minimised the risk to life, and if stopping the car was done with only the necessary force.During the inquiry, Sir Christopher considered issues including what information the police team had, how reliable it was, whether their approach minimised the risk to life, and if stopping the car was done with only the necessary force.
He said: "There was no lawful justification for shooting Azelle Rodney so as to kill him.He said: "There was no lawful justification for shooting Azelle Rodney so as to kill him.
He added: "E7's accounts of what he saw are not to be accepted.He added: "E7's accounts of what he saw are not to be accepted.
"Prior to firing he did not believe that the man who turned out to be Azelle Rodney had picked up a gun and was about to use it. "Prior to firing he did not believe that the man who turned out to be Azelle Rodney had picked up a gun and was about to use it."
"Further, on the basis of what he was able to see, he could not rationally have believed that." Serious challenges
E7 has written to the inquiry to claim that the findings against him are "irrational".E7 has written to the inquiry to claim that the findings against him are "irrational".
Mr Hogan-Howe added that firearms officers faced "serious challenges".Mr Hogan-Howe added that firearms officers faced "serious challenges".
He said he was anxious the report did not "undermine the confidence of officers to act decisively when making split-second decisions in the face of the most dangerous criminals as recently seen in Woolwich".He said he was anxious the report did not "undermine the confidence of officers to act decisively when making split-second decisions in the face of the most dangerous criminals as recently seen in Woolwich".
The inquiry, which started on 3 September 2012, was held into Mr Rodney's death instead of an inquest because of sensitive intelligence information that would have to be withheld from a coroner.
The other two people in the vehicle, Frank Graham and Wesley Lovell, were subsequently jailed for possession of firearms.