Sabina Rizvi was shot and killed outside of a police station nearly 17 years ago, and her family has expressed relief at coming a step closer to finding out the exact circumstances surrounding her death. The inquest into her death concluded that she was unlawfully killed as she was leaving Bexleyheath police station in London. In 2004, Paul Asbury was convicted of her murder and the attempted murder of her boyfriend, Mark Williams. However, the inquest aimed to investigate whether police officers at the station were involved in what happened to Ms. Rizvi.
During the inquest, Asbury admitted to being involved in the shooting but did not disclose the identities of the actual gunmen. He claimed that Ms. Rizvi was caught in the middle of a plan to target Mr. Williams, and he orchestrated the shooting with two other individuals. Ms. Rizvi was killed by a bullet that went through her neck, while Mr. Williams was shot twice in the head and sustained significant brain injuries. There was no evidence presented that indicated police officers at Bexleyheath police station assisted or collaborated with the suspects in any way.
In the days leading up to the shooting, Ms. Rizvi had purchased a car using money given to her by her mother and went to the police to confirm its legitimacy. Asbury reported his car as carjacked shortly after Ms. Rizvi’s visit to the police station. Subsequently, he accused Mr. Williams of being involved in the carjacking, which led to Mr. Williams being arrested upon arriving at the station. Minutes after Mr. Williams left the station, the shooting occurred, resulting in Ms. Rizvi’s death and Mr. Williams sustaining severe injuries.
The inquest described Ms. Rizvi’s family’s grief as palpable, and they had fought for many years to have the inquest conducted. While the inquest did not find evidence that the police at Bexleyheath police station could have taken preemptive action or known about the threat to Ms. Rizvi’s life, the family may never find closure. The lead investigator reiterated that there was no evidence that implicated the police in assisting the suspects or disclosing Mr. Williams’s location to Asbury. The inquest aimed to explore the role of the police in the events leading up to Ms. Rizvi’s death and involved testimony from various individuals involved in the case.
The inquest into Sabina Rizvi’s death, which was initially opened and adjourned in 2003, was reopened in 2019 and faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The jury concluded that she was unlawfully killed by unidentified assailants shortly after leaving the police station. While one perpetrator, Asbury, was convicted in 2004, the identities of the gunmen remain undisclosed. The inquest shed light on the events leading up to the shooting, including the interactions between Ms. Rizvi, Mr. Williams, and law enforcement. Despite the conclusion of the inquest, the family’s grief remains palpable, and closure may be elusive for them.
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26 Comments
I think the jury got it wrong. She shouldnt have been outside the station!
She had every right to be outside the station. Blaming her for the jurys decision is unfair. Lets not victim-blame and instead focus on the real issue at hand. Justice isnt always served, but that doesnt mean she deserved what happened.
Maybe she shouldnt have been there in the first place. Just saying.
Wow, victim-blaming much? Nobody deserves to be in a dangerous situation, and its not helpful to suggest otherwise. Lets focus on supporting each other and finding solutions instead of pointing fingers. Empathy goes a long way.
I think the jury got it wrong, she was a threat! #controversialopinion #justicesystemflaws
I think the jury made the wrong call. She shouldnt have been outside the station.
Maybe she provoked the officers? We dont know the whole story. 🤔
Its not about whether she provoked the officers or not. Police should always handle situations professionally and with restraint. Victim-blaming is not the answer here. We should focus on holding law enforcement accountable for their actions, regardless of the circumstances.
I think the jury made the right call. Police should be held accountable.
Wow, can we trust the same system that determines if someone was unlawfully killed?
This verdict sets a dangerous precedent. People will start targeting police stations for attention.
Its called accountability, not targeting. If police stations are doing their job properly, theres nothing to worry about. This verdict is a step towards justice, not chaos. Lets not confuse accountability with aggression.
This just shows the bias against law enforcement. What about the officers safety?
Shouldnt police be held to higher standards? This case is outrageous.
Isnt it wild how the justice system works? Unlawful killing is a serious issue.
Who decides whats lawful in such situations? Jury or the law? 🤔
The law is the ultimate authority in determining what is lawful in any situation. Juries interpret and apply the law, but they do not decide what is lawful. It is the legal system and legislative bodies that ultimately establish what is considered lawful.
Do you think the jury made the right call on this case?
Absolutely not. The jury clearly overlooked crucial evidence and failed to deliver justice. This decision is a blatant miscarriage of justice and sets a dangerous precedent. Its disappointing to see such a lack of accountability in our legal system.
Do you think the jury made the right call in this case?
Do you think the jury made the right call? Lets discuss!
Do you think the jury got it right in the case of the woman being unlawfully killed?
What if the roles were reversed? Would the verdict still be the same? 🤔
Wow, do you think the jury made the right call on this case?
Absolutely not. The jury clearly got it wrong. There was overwhelming evidence pointing in the opposite direction. Its frustrating to see justice not being served. This decision needs to be challenged.
If the jury says its unlawful, shouldnt the police be held accountable?