Jean Charles de Menezes, a 27-year-old Brazilian electrician, was shot and killed by police at the Stockwell Underground station in London as the authorities launched a manhunt for the bombers responsible for the 7 July 2005 London bombings. These bombings had killed 52 people and injured over 700. The United Kingdom was under intense pressure to ensure public safety following these attacks, creating a tense atmosphere that escalated security measures in the city. On 21 July 2005, another set of failed bombings occurred, further heightening fears of additional terrorist actions.

On the morning of 22 July, de Menezes was observed by officers as he exited his home in the south of London. Believing he was connected to the bombings, police pursued him to the underground station. Witnesses reported that he was unarmed and posed no threat. Despite this, officers followed de Menezes into a train carriage where he was shot seven times in the head. The police acted under the belief that he was a suicide bomber, which added to their urgent and high-stakes response during the ongoing manhunt.

The incident received widespread media coverage and incited public outrage, focusing a spotlight on police tactics during counter-terrorism operations. Questions arose regarding the protocols followed by the Metropolitan Police and the protocols for identifying suspects in high-stress situations. Details that emerged later indicated that de Menezes was not wearing a bulky jacket, as had initially been reported, which suggested he could not have been mistaken easily for a terrorist. This tragic shooting prompted discussions about civil rights, policing policies, and the broader impacts of the UK’s counter-terrorism law enforcement strategies post-9/11.