Mark Duggan, whose fatal shooting by police in north London triggered riots across England Photo: FACEBOOK By Agencies2:04PM GMT 03 Dec 2013
Mark Duggan, whose fatal shooting triggered riots across England, was clutching a mobile phone in his hand when he was shot dead by armed police, a witness has told an inquest into the 29 year-old's death.
The man, referred to as Witness B to protect his anonymity, told the hearing he saw Mr Duggan still holding the device as he collapsed after being shot by a police marksman stood ''five to seven steps away''.
The witness said he used his own mobile to film the aftermath of the fatal shooting in August 2011.
More than 50 members of the public packed into an annexe of the courtroom at the Royal Courts of Justice to watch via a video-link as the footage was shown to the jury.
Ashley Underwood QC, counsel to the inquest, asked the witness whether he heard a ''commotion'' shortly after 6pm on August 4, 2011.
''I heard tyres screeching and then I heard shouting'' he said. ''The shouting was either 'put it down or get down'.''
Witness B told the inquest he saw armed police wearing blue jackets close to the mini cab Mr Duggan was travelling in.
''When I saw him (Mr Duggan) he was on the sidewalk,'' he said.
''He tried to run off towards Tottenham Hale but then there was a police officer standing there.''
The witness said he then saw Mr Duggan turn around to run towards Blackhorse Road.
''Could you see his hands?'' Mr Underwood asked.
''Yes,'' Witness B replied. ''It looked like a phone clutched in his hand. I've said that since day one.
''That was definitely a phone clutched in his hand.''
Asked where Mr Duggan was holding his hands at the time, the witness raised his own hands above his shoulders, the hearing was told.
The man told the jury he saw Mr Duggan collapse on the pavement after being shot twice.
''How did you know he had been shot?'' Mr Underwood asked.
''I heard the shots,'' he replied. ''The way he fell as well. He just collapsed.''
Asked how far away the police marksman was from Mr Duggan when the shots were fired, Witness B said: ''About a couple of steps. Five to seven steps.''
The BBC challenged an order by the coroner, Judge Keith Cutler, that the broadcaster should reveal the name of the eyewitness who filmed the aftermath of the shooting.
Witness B, who gave his footage to the BBC, admitted he had been reluctant to give evidence at the hearing and had moved out of London following the shooting.
''I took the video, I gave it to the BBC so they could put it out there,'' he said. ''I had to move out of London because of it. I wanted to be left alone.''
''What were you worried about?'' Mr Underwood asked.
''It's not everyday you see someone get shot in London and dying,'' Witness B said.
''It played on my mind a bit.''
The witness said he was also concerned after hearing about gang links in relation to the shooting.
Police have told the inquest that Mr Duggan was being watched by officers involved in investigating a gang known to use firearms and violence.
(Edited by Andy Hooper)
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