Metropolitan Police firearms officer suspended over fatal shooting of Jermaine Baker in Wood Green

28-year-old Jermaine Baker was killed with a single shot fired by a firearms officer on 11 December

Police officers stand at the scene of the shooting in Wood Green, London (John Stillwell/PA)

A Metropolitan Police firearms officer has been suspended from the force following the launch of a homicide investigation into the death of 28-year-old Jermaine Baker, who was fatally shot by police in London on 11 December.

Police claim that they acted to stop an alleged plot to free two men who were being taken to court in police vans for sentencing for firearms offences.

Baker, who lived in Tottenham, was killed on Bracknell Close in Wood Green by a single shot fired by a firearms officer, becoming the third person to be killed by police in the UK this year.

Now, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) have said they have launched a criminal homicide investigation into Baker's death. They stressed that the launch of the investigation does not necessarily mean that criminal charges will follow.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said that they agreed with the IPCC's suggestion that a firearms officer be suspended from duty.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Terry, from the force's Specialist Crime and Operations unit, said: "The exact circumstances that led to Mr Baker's death must be thoroughly and independently examined. That is the role of the IPCC. It is only through establishing the full facts, as quickly as possible, as to what took place that day that the best interests of justice and of all those affected can be served."

"As this is an ongoing investigation we must all await the IPCC's findings before drawing any conclusions or speculating on what has taken place."

Terry added: "All of our firearms officers, who are all volunteers, do a job that is difficult and often dangerous. They all fully understand, quite rightly, that they will need to account for their actions if they use lethal force."

He also said the IPCC would be receiving the Met's "fullest possible support" with their investigation.

A police operation on the day of Baker's death resulted in four men being arrested on suspicion of planning to aid in the escape of prisoners Izzet Eren and Erwin Amoyaw-Gyamfi, as they were being taken to Wood Green Crown Court, a stone's throw from the site of the shooting, for sentencing. Both were jailed for 14 years.

These four men, Ozcan Eren, Eren Hayser, Nathan Mason and Gokay Sogucakli, all appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on Monday 14 December, charged with conspiracy to help in the escape of the prisoners.

Mason and Sogucakli also face charges of possessing an imitation firearm and using a car taken without the owner's consent.

In a statement issued on the day of the shooting, the IPCC said a "non police issue firearm" was found at the scene.

All four were remanded in custody and are set to appear at Wood Green Crown Court on 4 January.