A retired Metropolitan Police firearms officer, known as “C12,” recently shared his account of the tragic shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, an innocent Brazilian electrician mistakenly identified as a terror suspect in 2005.

For the first time, C12 revealed details of the incident, which has haunted him for years.

The officer’s comments were featured in a Channel 4 documentary titled Shoot to Kill: Terror on the Tube, offering insights into what he describes as a devastating mistake rooted in fear and confusion.

The Incident and a Mistaken Identity

On July 22, 2005, C12 and other firearms officers pursued de Menezes to Stockwell station after surveillance teams mistakenly identified him as Hussain Osman, a failed suicide bomber involved in a recent terror plot.

The confusion arose because de Menezes lived in the same apartment complex as Osman, leading surveillance teams to track him as he made his way to work that day.

Given only a grainy photocopy of the real suspect’s image moments before, officers had little to go on as they were ordered to prevent de Menezes from boarding a train.

A Split-Second Decision Fueled by Fear

As C12 entered the stationary train and approached de Menezes, he recalled the overwhelming conviction that the man before him was about to detonate a bomb.

In his mind, there was no doubt they were seconds away from an explosion.

He described his fear and instinctive reaction, recounting the moment he pulled the trigger.

“I was 100 percent convinced we were all about to die,” he said, adding that his main objective was to prevent what he believed would be a catastrophic attack.

Immediate Aftermath and Long-Lasting Trauma

The incident left C12 and his colleagues in a state of shock.

They returned to their base without being allowed to remove their blood-stained clothing or clean up, preserving evidence for the investigation that followed.

C12 admitted that surviving the ordeal brought no relief or sense of triumph—only the grim realization that they had made a terrible mistake.

Although a subsequent investigation found that several avoidable errors contributed to de Menezes’ death, no criminal charges were brought against any officers involved.

The Metropolitan Police was later fined, and the de Menezes family received a settlement in 2009.

Reflections and the Burden of Trauma

In the years following the tragedy, C12 struggled with the psychological toll of the incident, which he described as a “weeping sore” on his life.

He acknowledged the profound grief of the de Menezes family, calling them the true victims of the tragedy, yet expressed reluctance to meet with them, fearing the emotional impact.

“I don’t think I would like to open any closets which would make my life a bit unbearable,” he admitted.

Recent Legal Developments and Future of Police Protocol

The documentary’s release follows the recent acquittal of another firearms officer, Martyn Blake, who was cleared of murder charges after a similar high-stakes encounter.

Blake’s case has prompted discussions around the anonymity of officers in cases involving fatal shootings, with new reforms introduced to protect their identities in such situations.

C12, who has a daughter, expressed immense relief that he was not prosecuted, noting that a criminal trial would have upended his life and reputation.

The Metropolitan Police’s Response and Policy Changes

The Metropolitan Police expressed deep regret over the shooting, emphasizing that it has taken significant steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Following multiple inquiries and reports from the Independent Police Complaints Commission, the force implemented reforms aimed at improving identification processes and reducing the risk of fatal errors.

A Met spokesperson reiterated their commitment to public safety, stating, “No officer sets out on duty intent on ending a life. Our sole purpose is the protection and preservation of life.”

Shoot to Kill: Terror on the Tube airs on Channel 4, providing viewers with an intimate look at the events that led to one of the most tragic cases of mistaken identity in recent UK history.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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