A man who has been fighting for his life in hospital has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Sergeant Matt Ratana.
The suspect, 23, has been in a critical condition since he was shot during the incident at Croydon Custody Centre in late September.
The Met said he has since stabilised and his injuries are no longer considered life-threatening. Today he was considered fit to be arrested.
A statement said: ‘However, as the man remains in hospital officers will liaise with the relevant medical and legal teams to make an assessment of when he will be fit for interview.’
Sgt Ratana was shot at Croydon Custody Centre in south London in the early hours of Friday, September 25. He was taken to hospital but later died from his wounds.
The death shocked the nation and thousands of people paid tribute to the well-respected officer, who also worked as a rugby coach.
He had been planning to propose to his partner of six years Su Bushby when he was killed.
Mourners performed the Haka at his funeral earlier this month in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex.
The 23-year-old suspect had been arrested on suspicion of a separate offence and had been brought in for questioning at the time of the shooting.
He was detained by officers and then taken by ambulance to hospital with a gunshot wound.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick described the arrest today as an ‘important milestone’
She said: ‘Matt’s loss hit the Met and the wider world everywhere very hard. He was a great officer with wonderful qualities and so many people have been impacted by his loss and will miss him a lot.
‘You are aware a person was arrested for other offences before that, and after Matt was killed that person went to hospital.
‘They have been very unwell but their condition has now stabilised and improved sufficiently for us to be able to arrest him for murder today. So, a 23-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of Matt Ratana.
‘It’s an important milestone and hopefully it brings some tiny comfort to Matt’s partner Su, Matt’s wider family and everyone who has been affected.
‘The investigation is moving on into a dreadful, dreadful homicide.’
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