Mark Duggan shooting: ‘No criminality’ in police killing

Mark Duggan: shot by police. Picture: Contributed

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has been investigating whether any of the 11 CO19 firearms officers involved in Duggan’s shooting committed any wrongdoing, but a spokeswoman said yesterday: “We have found no evidence to indicate criminality at this stage.”

Today is the two-year anniversary of his death in Tottenham, north London, which sparked a national wave of riots and looting in the following days.

His relatives are due to gather with justice campaigners later today, along with supporters of Joy Gardner and Roger Sylvester, who both died after being restrained by police officers; and Cynthia Jarrett, whose death when police raided her home sparked the Broadwater Farm riots in Tottenham in the 1980s.

Duggan’s aunt, Carole Duggan, said she wanted the officers involved to be prosecuted.

“It’s been two years and we are now waiting for the inquest to get the answers to the questions we have about how and why Mark was killed,” she said. “We expect those responsible for Mark’s death to be prosecuted and for justice to be served.”

Duggan was shot by armed police in Tottenham on 4 August 2011 after marksmen stopped the minicab in which he was travelling. Officers feared the father of four was on his way to carry out a revenge shooting for his cousin’s death. An inquest into the 29-year-old’s death is due to start next month following a series of delays.

Local outrage at the police shooting marked the start of a wave of rioting, looting and arson that spread across England in 2011.

The theme of this evening’s event is “Justice delayed is justice denied”, and will see families speak about their  ongoing battles for the truth about their loved ones’ deaths.

Joy Gardner’s mother, Myrna Simpson, said: “It’s important for people to fight for justice and don’t stop, because there is no other way to get justice but to fight for it. I am still fighting for justice for Joy.”