Police gave no warning in mistaken killing, De Menezes inquest
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, Oct 30, IRNA
UK-Police Killing
Armed police, who mistakenly killed Jean Charles de Menezes three years ago, gave no prior warning before opening fire, an inquest into his death was told Thursday.
The evidence, from Ralph Livock, a passenger in the train where he was killed, dispute claims by firearms officers, who told the inquest there were several warning shouts of "armed police" before shots were fired.
Livock, who was sitting opposite de Menezes, said he had no idea that it was anything more serious that "a group of lads who were just having a laugh" until one of the armed men fired at the 27-year old Brazilian engineer at point blank range.
The passenger recalled that their train was held up for longer than usual at Stockwell station in south London - and then four casually-dressed men armed with guns got on board.
According to reports of the inquest, Livock's friend, Rachel Wilson, who was covered in blood after the killing said she thought the officers were terrorists when they shot dead the Brazilian on July 22, 2005.
"I thought they were terrorists and it was only when I left the carriage and somebody moved me gently out of the way that I figured they must be good guys," Wilson said.
Another commuter, Wesley Merrill, said he had seen a man get on the train and point at de Menezes, saying something like "that's the guy".
Earlier this week, a police marksmen admitted to the inquest that he could have stopped de Menezes before he entered the underground train station.
The High Court in London has already found the Metropolitan Police guilty of a series of 'catastrophic errors' leading to the shooting, but no officers have been held responsible for the killing.
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