Monday night in south London’s Streatham Hill, Chris Kaba was killed following a pursuit involving armed officers. His family said they are “devastated” and desire “answers and accountability” for his death.
No firearm was discovered on a man who was fatally shot by police, as his family demanded a murder probe into his death.
Monday night in south London’s Streatham Hill, Chris Kaba was killed following a pursuit involving armed officers.
The police watchdog investigating the shooting has determined that no non-police firearms were retrieved from the suspect’s vehicle or the crime scene.
In a statement released Wednesday evening, the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) stated that armed cops attempted to halt Mr. Kaba’s vehicle because it had been linked to a “firearms incident” days before.
The vehicle had activated an automatic number plate recognition camera, the IOPC stated, adding that it was unable to comment further due to an ongoing Metropolitan Police Department inquiry into the event.
In a tiny residential neighborhood, Mr. Kaba’s Audi was surrounded by two police cars before a single shot was fired from a police weapon.
Later that night, the 24-year-old man from Wembley, who was set to become a father within months, passed away in the hospital.
Wednesday, his family declared that they were “devastated” and required “answers and accountability” for his death.
According to a statement made by the nonprofit Inquest, Mr. Kaba’s family “sought an immediate homicide inquiry into his death.”
The IOPC has been informed of the family’s demand that there be “no delay, as has occurred in past deadly shootings,” according to the statement.
Before the IOPC’s remarks on Wednesday, Mr. Kaba’s family stated that they had not been informed whether or not a firearm was discovered during a check of his vehicle.
Witnesses to the pursuit and shooting were requested to come forward.
They remarked, “We are saddened; we require answers and accountability.”
We fear that had Chris not been black, he would have been detained on Monday evening and his life would not have been cut short.
Sal Naseem, regional director of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), stated, “We recognize there is community concern following this incident, and we are aware that questions will remain regarding how Mr. Kaba tragically ended up being fatally shot after an attempted vehicle stop.”
It will take some time for our investigation to establish all of the facts surrounding this occurrence.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, stated that he has contacted the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and added, “When a person loses their life as a result of police action, it is vital that the incident is properly and thoroughly examined.
The Metropolitan Police previously offered condolences to Mr. Kaba’s family, stating that the department understood that “the family and community seek answers.”
Commander Alexis Boon described the incident as “very troubling” and assured us that the police force will cooperate with the police watchdog in its aftermath.
The officer stated, “I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the deceased man’s family and friends, and I recognize the catastrophic and long-lasting impact this unfortunate tragedy will have on them.
I would like to reassure the community that the Metropolitan Police Service is fully cooperating with the Independent Office for Police Conduct as they conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.
Kim Alleyne, whose daughter Karimah Waite was engaged to Mr. Kaba, said of him at the scene on Tuesday, “He was very adored. He was hilarious. He was quite kind. Crazy. He was constantly cheerful. He’d go to any lengths for you.
“He was a fiance, and he was scheduled to wed in five months. He has a child on the way that he will never see.
It is horrible, shocking, and tragic.
Some mourners at the scene claimed Mr. Kaba was the rapper Madix or Mad Itch 67.
Mr. Kaba’s cousin, Jefferson Bosela, stated, “He was a good person, a good, joyful man. He did not merit that. No one deserves such treatment.
Nobody deserves to be shot by the police, regardless of whether they are a good or bad person.
