Azelle Rodney shooting: Former police marksman 'E7' charged with murder of robbery suspect

The 24-year-old was hit six times when a car was stopped in north London

An undated family handout photo of Azelle Rodney. A former police officer is to be charged with the murder of Azelle, who died after the discharge of a police firearm in April 2005 (Family Handout/PA Wire)

A former police officer is to be charged with murdering robbery suspect Azelle Rodney, prosecutors have said.

The marksman, who shot Mr Rodney in 2005, has only been identified as E7 after being granted anonymity during a public inquiry into the 24-year-old's death.

Mr Rodney's mother Susan Alexander said: "I am very pleased at the CPS's decision ... I have waited a long time to see this day and hope this prosecution will lead to justice for Azelle."

Mr Rodney died in Edgware, north London, when officers stopped the car in which he was travelling with two other men. Police opened fire within a second of coming to a halt beside the trio's Golf, hitting Mr Rodney six times, once each in the arm and back, and four times in the head.

The officer will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 10 September.

April 2005: A police forensics team searching outside The Railway Tavern on Hale Lane at the scene where Azelle Rodney died (Edmond Terakopian/PA Wire)

Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders said: "Azelle Rodney died after the discharge of a police firearm on 30 April 2005.

"Following the outcome of the public inquiry, the Independent Police Complaints Commission re-referred the matter to the CPS, providing us with the evidence previously gathered and the further evidence and material which has emerged since the initial referral.

"We have carefully considered the new file of evidence submitted to us and have decided that a former Metropolitan Police officer, currently identified only as E7, will be prosecuted for murder. The individual currently has anonymity.

"The decision to prosecute was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. We have determined that there is a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest."

PA