An inquest in London into the death of Mark Duggan, whose shooting by police sparked riots across England in 2011, has concluded that it was a lawful killing.
Mr Duggan was shot dead by police in August 2011 in the north borough of Tottenham as they believed he was armed and dangerous.
Pamela Duggan, left, and Carole Duggan. Photo: AFP
Following this, rioting spread across London and other parts of England in what became some of the worst disturbances in decades, the BBC reports.
On Wednesday, the jury at the Royal Courts of Justice reached its conclusion by an 8-2 majority decision, prompting screams of "murderers" from the public gallery, and anger and chaos in the courtroom when it was announced.
Jurors concluded that Mr Duggan, 29, did not have a gun when he was shot by officers who surrounded a minicab he was travelling in.
However, the jury said it was more likely than not that Mr Duggan had thrown a hand gun from the vehicle just before he was killed. The weapon was found about six metres away from the scene. Despite this, jurors found that he had been lawfully killed.
His mother, Pamela Duggan, was led from the courtroom in tears. Other family members and campaigners screamed and shouted abuse at the jurors and court officials.
Following the inquest, his aunt Carole Duggan said he had been "executed" and the family was going to fight for justice. Their solicitor Marcia Willis Stewart criticised the verdict. "The jury found that he had no gun in his hand and yet he was gunned down. For us that's an unlawful killing."
A police spokesperson attempted to read a statement outside court, but was drowned out by angry protesters.
The inquest began in September last year. Before the jurors retired for what was seven days of deliberation, Judge Keith Cutler told them to reach their decisions "on the evidence and the evidence alone". The coroner thanked the jury and told them they will be excused from future jury service for life if they want.
Trust 'corroded' with community
The conclusions will come as a relief to the Metropolitan Police. But when the smoke cleared from the riots, triggered by Mark Duggan's shooting, uncomfortable questions emerged for the lawbreakers, gangsters, arsonists and looters - but also for police, the BBC reports.
The official report warned that police behaviour - particularly with stop and search - had had a corrosive effect on trust on community relations.
A subsequent inquiry by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary identified what it called an alarming 27% of stop and searches in which there were no reasonable grounds to conduct the search.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has asked for a meeting with local community leaders.
Meanwhile, the Met said there was an operation in place across London on Wednesday night where they have the ability to deploy extra officers if needed.
