RESIDENTS living by a filming location for a controversial 7/7 TV series say Disney are making money off “murder”.
The Disney+ series tells the story of Jean Charles de Menezes, the innocent Brazilian man shot dead by police two weeks after the horror when he was mistaken for a terror suspect.
During filming, actors playing armed cops swooped on Stockwell tube station in south London, where Menezes was killed.
They recreated the shooting on location, with another actor playing Menezes.
Julie, 37, watched with colleagues as scenes were filmed outside her office in Stockwell.
She told The Sun: “We watched them set up and they were running through crowds down the street.
“People around didn’t know what was going on and I think some people got a fright.
“I walk past his memorial everyday but never really took notice of it before.
“I didn’t live round here when it happened – but yeah. it’s pretty bad.
“Someone’s making money off his family’s pain aren’t they. That doesn’t sit right.”
Menezes was shot seven times in the head and once in the shoulder by armed cops after they wrongly identified the innocent Brazilian as a terror suspect they were hunting after 7/7.
Officers were searching for four suspects after a failed bombing on July 22, 2005 – just weeks after terrorists killed 52 London commuters in the 7/7 suicide bomb attacks.
Gold Commander Cressida Dick told officers to pursue Menezes and stop him getting on the Tube after they wrongly matched him with a CCTV snap of the one of the suspects.
Officers followed Menezes onto a Tube carriage and shot him in circumstances which remain obscure after two IPCC investigations, an inquest and an alleged Met Police cover-up.
The force admitted that Menezes was entirely innocent and was not carrying a weapon or explosives.
Prime Minister Tony Blair apologised for Menezes’ death, but no one has ever been convicted over it.
Shopkeeper Muhammad, 61, said: “I wasn’t here the day it happened in 2005 but I remember it well.
“Everyone was shocked. The whole of Stockwell was in chaos and there was vigil after vigil for the guy.
“I don’t think they should be making it into a TV show. They should let it lie.
“They should remember his life not his death. It’s too much. I don’t like it.”
Another shopkeeper said: “I saw them filming but didn’t know what it was for.
“It’s bad taste isn’t it. If it was my brother or son who was killed I wouldn’t be having any of it.
“Don’t think it’s right to make a big song and dance about someone’s murder.”
The Justice4Jean campaign has been contacted for comment.
A Disney+ spokesperson said: “Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes is a factual dramatisation of events surrounding the police shooting of the innocent Brazilian shortly after the attempted bombings on 21 July.
“The team producing the series has significant expertise in this type of programming, incorporating extensive in-depth research that has been approached with the utmost sensitivity and respect.
“All involved are conscious of the huge responsibility that comes with telling this story.
“As with any production, a number of factors were carefully considered when sourcing the filming location.
“Throughout filming production have worked very closely with TFL, police, the council, community and businesses to ensure all were aware ahead of time that filming was taking place with marshals and signage canvassing the area on the day.”
A man who lost both his legs and an eye in the 7/7 terror attacks says he is also disgusted at Disney for disrespecting him and recreating the bombings.
