Marksman 'Convinced Of Danger' In Rodney Killing

A police marksman accused of murdering a suspected armed robber says he was "absolutely convinced" his colleagues were under threat when he opened fire.

Specialist firearms officer Anthony Long fired six shots at Azelle Rodney in just 2.1 seconds.

The 58-year-old, who has since retired from the Metropolitan Police, says he stands by his decision even though he never saw Mr Rodney with a weapon.

When asked by his lawyer why he had opened fire, Long responded: "Because I was absolutely convinced that he'd ducked down, picked up a firearm, that he posed an imminent threat to my colleagues."

Mr Rodney was in a car with two other men at the time. Police had been told the car contained weapons, including possibly a machine gun.

Long is standing trial for the murder of Mr Rodney on 3 April 2005. He denies the charge.

The former police officer told the Old Bailey he was "very conscious" of the dangers involved, adding that the possibility of encountering high-powered weapons "ups the ante."

Under cross-examination, it was put to Long that he opened fire without justification. He responded: "I'm sorry my lord but that's nonsense."

"I needed to neutralise what I believed to be the threat," he said. "It wasn't an easy decision. I felt that my colleagues' lives were in danger."

Long joined the police force in 1975 and retired in 2008 - three years after the incident.

The trial continues.