July 28, 2005
Man Killed by Police in Subway Wasn't Wearing 'Bulky' Jacket
Relatives say Met admits that...Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian shot dead in the head, was not wearing a heavy jacket that might have concealed a bomb, and did not jump the ticket barrier when challenged by armed plainclothes police...
Mr de Menezes was shot seven times in the head and once in the shoulder at 10am last Friday after being followed from Tulse Hill. Scotland Yard initially claimed he wore a bulky jacket and jumped the barrier when police identified themselves and ordered him to stop. The same day the Met commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, said the shooting was "directly linked" to the unprecedented anti-terror operation on London's streets.
The following day Sir Ian apologised...
Yesterday it emerged one armed officer involved has been given leave, and two have been moved to non-firearm duties.
The body of Mr de Menezes is being flown to Brazil tonight for a funeral tomorrow. Simultaneously, a memorial service will be held at Westminster Cathedral, with TV coverage beamed live to Brazil.
Ms Peirce (the de Menezes family's solicitor)...was astonished that the phrase "shoot to kill" was being used as if it was a legitimate legal term..
story thanks conscientious
~No mention of what happened to the other officers involved in this killing. For example who first identified Mr. Menenzes as a target, or the officer(s) that sent these three into the subway with guns drawn.
No mention of other less fatal police mistakes or inconveniences in other parts of London. Was this the only group of police chasing terrorist suspects? What are the odds of a fatal error of intelligence combined with a singular waste of police resources during such a crucial time?
>related: Shooting Officer Sent on Holiday
Matozinho Otoni da Silva, the father of the slain 27-year-old Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes, shows a photograph of his son 24 July 2005(AFP/File)