[144.1] SAD STOCKWELL DENOUEMENT

The worst fears about the Stockwell killing last week have materialised. People have asked why an innocent man ran when told not to by police. But they were, from his point of view, armed people in civilian clothes. It seems he panicked, with tragic consequences. (I used to live in nearby Brixton, where the man came from, incidentally). This from Ekklesia on 24 July 2005:

"The Brazilian government and religious leaders have expressed “shock” and “horror” at the news that the man shot by armed undercover police at Stockwell underground station yesterday was an innocent citizen originally from Brazil, and had no connection with the recent wave of terrorist bombings in London.

"Yesterday faith and civic groups spoke of deep concern at events on Friday, when a man, now named as Jean Charles de Menezes, 27, from Brixton, was pinned down by three operatives by the doors of a tube train and shot in the head five times. They are now calling for an enquiry and a review of tactics.

"... Religious leaders in south London were in conversation last night about how to allay fears in the local community, especially among Muslims. There is concern that the killing will undermine trust in the police." [more]

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