Four locations being searched over fatal shooting of police officer in custody centre

UK

The fatal shooting of a police officer in a custody suite in London was captured on CCTV, Scotland Yard has revealed.

Metropolitan Police sergeant Matiu Ratana, 54, was killed in the early hours of Friday when a handcuffed gunman opened fire before turning the weapon on himself.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said the 23-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder following the death at Croydon Custody Centre remained in critical condition in hospital.

Police line up in Croydon to pay respects to a colleague who was shot dead while on duty.
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Police line up in Croydon to pay respects to their colleague

“Due to his state, we are not yet able to speak to him,” he said during a news briefing at Scotland Yard.

He said the gun used in the killing had been recovered from the custody suite.

“We also have the CCTV from that custody suite, which shows the events” he said.

“And we have body-worn video of our police officers who were involved in the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the suspect.

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“Our special investigators are carefully reviewing all of that footage, which will be considered alongside the accounts of the officers.”

Sgt Ratana, who died in hospital, has been described as “big in stature, big in heart, friendly, capable, a lovely man and highly respected by his colleagues”.

Pic: Metropolitan Police
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Sgt Ratana was looking forward to imminent retirement Pic: Met Police

Friends say he was looking forward to imminent retirement, which he would have become eligible for in two months.

No police firearms were fired and the case is not being treated as terror-related.

A murder inquiry was launched by the Metropolitan Police, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog also began an investigation.



- Ratana's first cousin, MP for Te Tai Hauāuru, Adrian Rurawhe​ said the family was devastated by the news







Sergeant Matt Ratana’s cousin Adrian Rurawhe says his family in New Zealand has been left devastated by his death.

Prior to the shooting, the suspect had been arrested by regular officers following a stop and search, then handcuffed behind his back before being taken to the station in a police vehicle.

Sgt Ratana leaves behind a partner and adult son.

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