Man, 23, is charged with murder of Met police sergeant Matt Ratana who was shot dead at Croydon police station
Detectives investigating the fatal shooting of police officer Matt Ratana have charged a man with his murder.
Louis de Zoysa, 23, of Banstead, Surrey was also charged with possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
Mr Ratana, 54, a Met Police sergeant, died after being shot while he was preparing to search a handcuffed suspect at around 2.15am on September 25.
Louis de Zoysa, 23, has been charged with the murder of Met Police sergeant Mr Ratana , 54, at a Croydon police station last year
Since the incident, de Zoysa has remained in hospital in a stable, non-life threatening condition but under police guard.
Police said they have been in 'close liaison' with de Zoysa's medical team and the Crown Prosecution Service throughout.
Recent changes to his condition and a charging decision by the CPS have resulted in de Zoysa being charged with murder and the other offences this afternoon.
Since the incident, de Zoysa has remained in hospital in a stable, non-life threatening condition but under police guard
He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 30 via video link.
Mr Ratana's partner and his son have been updated on what the police have called a 'significant development'.
Mr Ratana had been planning to propose to his partner of six years, Su Bushby, prior to being shot dead.
Mr Ratana, 54, a Met Police sergeant, died after being shot while he was preparing to search a handcuffed suspect at around 2.15am
Following Sgt Ratana's death, Ms Bushby described him as a 'gentle giant'.
In a tribute, she said: 'Matt was my partner, friend, confidant, support and soul mate. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Matt will always be in my head and in my heart.'
The veteran officer - who had served with the Met since 1991 - was the first ever officer to be killed inside a British police station.
An inquest into Mr Ratana's death heard he was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting but he was pronounced dead at 4.20am.
Detective Superintendent Nick Blackman said the preliminary cause of death given following the post-mortem examination was a gunshot wound to the chest.
Police officers across the UK fell silent to remember 'gentle giant' Sergeant Ratana on October 2.
At 11am, colleagues from across the country paid tribute to Sgt Ratana, calling him a close friend who was part of the 'police family'.
Officers up and down Britain observed a minutes silence in memory of Sgt Ratana with many forces sharing images of their solemn tributes to social media.