No gun found on man shot dead by police – as family call for murder investigation
by 0 No firearm was found on a man shot dead by police, it has emerged, as his family called for a murder investigation into his killing.
Chris Kaba died after a chase involving armed officers that ended in Streatham Hill, south London, on Monday night.
The police watchdog, which is investigating the shooting, has now confirmed that no non-police firearm was recovered from his vehicle or from the scene.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said armed officers attempted to stop Mr Kaba’s car because it had been linked to a “firearms incident” in the previous days.
The vehicle had activated an automatic number plate recognition camera, the IOPC said, adding that it could not comment further due to an ongoing Met investigation into that incident.
Mr Kaba’s Audi was hemmed in by two police cars in a narrow residential street before one round was fired from a police weapon.
The 24-year-old from Wembley, who was due to become a father within months, died in hospital later that night.
His family said on Wednesday they were “devastated” and needed “answers and accountability” over his death.
A statement released through the charity Inquest said Mr Kaba’s family “seek a homicide investigation into his death from the outset”.
The IOPC have been told of the demand of the family who “do not want any delay as has happened in other fatal shootings”, the statement added.
Speaking before the IOPC’s remarks on Wednesday, the family said they had not been told whether or not a weapon was found in a search of Mr Kaba’s vehicle.
They appealed for any witnesses to the pursuit or the shooting to come forward.
“We are devastated; we need answers and we need accountability,” they said.
“We are worried that if Chris had not been black, he would have been arrested on Monday evening and not had his life cut short.”
IOPC regional director Sal Naseem said “We recognise that there is community concern following this incident and we appreciate that questions will remain around how Mr Kaba tragically ended up being fatally shot following an attempted vehicle stop.
“We are working hard to piece together all of the circumstances surrounding this incident and we want to reassure the community that these questions will be answered in due course, however it will take some time before our investigation is able to uncover all of the facts.”
London mayor Sadiq Khan said it had spoken to the IOPC, adding: “When anyone loses their life as a result of police force, it’s important it is properly & thoroughly investigated.”
The Metropolitan Police earlier expressed its condolences to Mr Kaba’s loved ones, saying the force understood that “the family and community want answers”.
Commander Alexis Boon said the incident was “extremely concerning” and vowed the force would co-operate with the police watchdog in its aftermath.
The officer said: “I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the man who died and I recognise the devastating and lasting impact this tragic incident will have on them.
“I understand that this incident is extremely concerning and I would like to reassure the community that the Met is co-operating fully with the Independent Office for Police Conduct as they carry out a thorough and independent investigation.”
Speaking at the scene on Tuesday, Kim Alleyne, whose daughter Karimah Waite was engaged to Mr Kaba, said of him: “He was so loved. He was so funny. He was super kind. Crazy. He was always happy. He’d do anything for you.
“He was a fiance, he was due to get married in five months’ time. He’s got a baby on the way that he’s never going to see.
“It’s horrible and so shocking and so sad.”
Some paying tribute at the scene said Mr Kaba was a rapper known as Madix or Mad Itch 67.
Jefferson Bosela, who was Mr Kaba’s cousin, said: “He was a good person, a good, happy guy. He didn’t deserve that. No-one deserves that.
“Nobody deserves to be shot by the police, whether they are a good person or a bad person.”
