A Met Police sergeant lost his life after being shot by a gunman who had smuggled an antique revolver into Croydon police station. The perpetrator, Louis De Zoysa, a cannabis addict, was found guilty of murder despite claiming diminished responsibility. The jury unanimously determined that De Zoysa deliberately pulled the trigger, dismissing his defense of experiencing an autistic meltdown.
During the three-week trial at Northampton Crown Court, distressing CCTV footage was presented, capturing the moment New Zealand-born Sergeant Matt Ratana was struck by three shots fired by De Zoysa in a custody cell. The first bullet hit the sergeant in the chest, followed by another in his thigh. De Zoysa was apprehended by fellow officers after a third round hit the cell wall. Sadly, Sgt Ratana succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
De Zoysa, residing in Banstead, Surrey, possessed an obsession with weapons and had acquired the revolver through an online auction. Since the ammunition was no longer manufactured, he took it upon himself to produce his own bullets to fit the gun in a rented workshop. At the time of his arrest in Norbury on September 25, 2020, officers found cannabis and seven bullets in a bag during the initial search of De Zoysa’s person, but they failed to discover the .41-caliber revolver loaded with six rounds.
Prosecutors revealed that De Zoysa managed to retrieve the weapon, hidden under his left arm in a holster, while handcuffed behind his back during transportation to Windmill Road in a police van. CCTV evidence suggested that he obtained the gun approximately 16 minutes before the shooting and concealed it using a vent in the back of his overcoat.
Prior to the trial, pre-trial hearings deemed De Zoysa fit to stand trial, despite his communication difficulties. The court learned that an infantry rifle and evidence of his interest in weapons, violence, and extremist ideologies were discovered at his flat and workshop in Banstead.
Following deliberations that lasted just over five hours, the jury unanimously convicted De Zoysa, who was present in a wheelchair within a secure glass dock. Throughout the trial, he used a whiteboard and pen to communicate, and breaks were provided to accommodate his disabilities.
In response to the verdict, trial judge Mr. Justice Johnson expressed gratitude to the jury for fulfilling their onerous but critically important public duty. The court decided to allow firearms and ammunition charges against De Zoysa to be addressed during a sentencing hearing at the same court the following month.
Sgt Ratana’s partner, Su Bushby, and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley were present in the public gallery when the guilty verdict was delivered. Ms. Bushby emotionally paid tribute to her late partner, describing him as her “gentle giant” and stating that he would never be forgotten.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) director of operations, Amanda Rowe, acknowledged the bravery of the officers who attempted to disarm De Zoysa during the shooting while noting that they could benefit from additional training in body searches and detainee transportation.
You can also read: Ohio Mother Fatally Shot by 2-Year-Old Son Who Found Gun
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley praised the courage of the officers on duty the night Sgt Ratana was murdered, stating that more lives would have been lost without their intervention. He commended their professionalism and bravery, expressing his enduring admiration and full support.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan extended his condolences to Sergeant Matt Ratana’s loved ones and the entire Metropolitan Police Service, emphasizing the importance of holding accountable those who seek to harm emergency service personnel. He paid tribute to Sgt Ratana’s heroism and the selfless dedication of police officers in protecting Londoners, emphasizing their invaluable contributions to community safety.
