Man was shot dead in London by officers who intercepted minicab, precipitating London riots of 2011

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The family of Mark Duggan – whose death resulted in riots in London that spread to other English cities – has lodged a civil claim against the Metropolitan police.

Duggan, 29, was shot dead in Tottenham, north London, by armed officers who had intercepted the minicab he was travelling in and intended to arrest him for being in possession of a gun.

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No firearm was found on Duggan after he had been shot by an officer – known only as V53. An inquest jury concluded Duggan, who jumped from the taxi, had dropped the firearm on to grass as soon as the minicab came to a stop – but the officer “honestly believed” Duggan still had a gun on him at the time he was shot.

His death sparked riots in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and other English cities for nearly a week.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan police said the force had received a civil claim from the Duggan family but would not comment further.