Before HM Coroner Prof Fiona Wilcox
Inner West London Coroner’s Court, 33 Tachbrook Street, SW1V 2JR
Opens 3 March, expected to last 3 weeks
Oladeji Omishore, known as Deji, died on 4 June 2022 after falling into the River Thames following multiple use of a Taser by Metropolitan Police Officers on Chelsea Bridge. The 41 year old Black man was experiencing a mental health crisis. Now an inquest will open into his death.
Deji grew up in East London with a natural gift for singing and songwriting. He had a deep passion for music and dreamed of honing his craft and achieving success. He also loved nature and history, with aspirations to travel, and was a huge fan of Arsenal F.C.
A bystander video of Deji being Tasered and subsequently falling into the River Thames was posted on social media and went viral. The family were unaware of Deji’s contact with police or the use of Taser on him, before they saw the video on social media, while he lay dying in hospital.
An initial MPS statement on 4 June 2022 referred to Deji as being “armed with a screwdriver”. On 21 June 2022, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) corrected the record and confirmed that Deji had in fact been carrying a plastic and metal fire lighter and not a screwdriver. Deji used this for lighting his cigarettes.
His family seek a full and fearless investigation into the circumstances of Deji’s death and the actions of the Metropolitan Police.. A statement from the family will be read out next week, after which it can be made available on request. In the meantime, in advance of the evidence being heard by the jury, the family will be making no further comment beyond this statement:
Speaking ahead of the inquest opening, Oladeji's family said: "Oladeji’s precious, vulnerable life was tragically cut short far too soon. The pain is indescribable, and the haunting memory of the moments leading up to his death is one we cannot erase. His life mattered, and his loss should never be in vain.
As a family, we have sought justice, knowing that while we cannot bring him back, we can honour his memory by demanding accountability and justice. No family should have to endure the unbearable pain of grieving a loved one while also fighting for answers and accountability. At times, the weight of this battle has been overwhelming, but we refuse to let his story be forgotten.
Oladeji’s sudden and deeply painful passing has left an irreplaceable void in our lives, made even heavier by the knowledge of his untapped potential. We hope that Oladeji’s story will shine a light on critical policing issues. No others must ever endure this pain."
In advance of the evidence being heard by the jury, the family will be making no further comment.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information, a photo, and interview requests please contact [email protected] or 020 7263 1111.
A photo of Oladeji Omishore, provided by the family, is available here.
The family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Daniel Machover and Toby Wilton of Hickman and Rose solicitors and Nick Armstrong KC and Ifeanyi Odogwu of Matrix Chambers. They are supported by INQUEST Senior Caseworker Selen Cavcav.
Other Interested persons represented are the Metropolitan Police Service, the two police officers who were the first to arrive on Chelsea Bridge, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust.
Previous statements:
In 2021, the IOPC published a critical report into police use of Taser. The review found that Black people are more likely to have a Taser used against them than White people.
Other relevant cases:
- Darren Cumberbatch, a 32 year old Black man, died in hospital on 19 July 2017, nine days after excessive use of force against him, including Taser, PAVA spray, baton strikes, palm strikes, punches, and thigh stamps, by Warwickshire Police officers. He was experiencing a mental health crisis. In 2022, the IOPC announced a rare reinvestigation of his death. Media release.
- Marc Anthony Cole died on 23 May 2017 after going into cardiac arrest following prolonged use of Taser by Devon and Cornwall Police. An inquest jury found that the use of a Taser had a more than trivial impact on Marc going into cardiac arrest. Media release.
- Adrian McDonald, a 34 year old Black man, died following police restraint, police dog bites and Taser use on 22 December 2014. An inquest found that his death was caused by the “effects of cocaine and stress of incident”. Media release.
Oladeji Omishore: Inquest To Open Into Chelsea Bridge Death Of Black Man In Mental Health Crisis Following Use Of Taser
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Before HM Coroner Prof Fiona Wilcox
Inner West London Coroner’s Court, 33 Tachbrook Street, SW1V 2JR
Opens 3 March, expected to last 3 weeks
Oladeji Omishore, known as Deji, died on 4 June 2022 after falling into the River Thames following multiple use of a Taser by Metropolitan Police Officers on Chelsea Bridge. The 41 year old Black man was experiencing a mental health crisis. Now an inquest will open into his death.
Deji grew up in East London with a natural gift for singing and songwriting. He had a deep passion for music and dreamed of honing his craft and achieving success. He also loved nature and history, with aspirations to travel, and was a huge fan of Arsenal F.C.
A bystander video of Deji being Tasered and subsequently falling into the River Thames was posted on social media and went viral. The family were unaware of Deji’s contact with police or the use of Taser on him, before they saw the video on social media, while he lay dying in hospital.
An initial MPS statement on 4 June 2022 referred to Deji as being “armed with a screwdriver”. On 21 June 2022, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) corrected the record and confirmed that Deji had in fact been carrying a plastic and metal fire lighter and not a screwdriver. Deji used this for lighting his cigarettes.
His family seek a full and fearless investigation into the circumstances of Deji’s death and the actions of the Metropolitan Police.. A statement from the family will be read out next week, after which it can be made available on request. In the meantime, in advance of the evidence being heard by the jury, the family will be making no further comment beyond this statement:
Speaking ahead of the inquest opening, Oladeji's family said: "Oladeji’s precious, vulnerable life was tragically cut short far too soon. The pain is indescribable, and the haunting memory of the moments leading up to his death is one we cannot erase. His life mattered, and his loss should never be in vain.
As a family, we have sought justice, knowing that while we cannot bring him back, we can honour his memory by demanding accountability and justice. No family should have to endure the unbearable pain of grieving a loved one while also fighting for answers and accountability. At times, the weight of this battle has been overwhelming, but we refuse to let his story be forgotten.
Oladeji’s sudden and deeply painful passing has left an irreplaceable void in our lives, made even heavier by the knowledge of his untapped potential. We hope that Oladeji’s story will shine a light on critical policing issues. No others must ever endure this pain."
In advance of the evidence being heard by the jury, the family will be making no further comment.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information, a photo, and interview requests please contact [email protected] or 020 7263 1111.
A photo of Oladeji Omishore, provided by the family, is available here.
The family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Daniel Machover and Toby Wilton of Hickman and Rose solicitors and Nick Armstrong KC and Ifeanyi Odogwu of Matrix Chambers. They are supported by INQUEST Senior Caseworker Selen Cavcav.
Other Interested persons represented are the Metropolitan Police Service, the two police officers who were the first to arrive on Chelsea Bridge, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust.
Previous statements:
In 2021, the IOPC published a critical report into police use of Taser. The review found that Black people are more likely to have a Taser used against them than White people.
Other relevant cases:
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