Family of Chris Kaba who was shot dead by police demand answers

‘We will not rest until those responsible are held fully accountable’ Family of unarmed black man Chris Kaba who was shot dead by police demand answers from Met as inquest opens and adjourns

• Chris Kaba, 24, was killed after a police chase in Streatham Hill on September 5
• The unarmed man was driving someone else’s car that was flagged by the Met
• Witnesses said Mr Kaba attempted to ram his way free before he was shot dead
• The Met Police marksman who shot him has since been suspended from duty 

The family of unarmed Chris Kaba who was shot dead by police today demanded answers from the Met as the inquest into his death was opened and adjourned. 

Relatives of the father-to-be attended Inner South London Coroner’s Court this morning for a brief hearing to open the inquest.

Coroner Andrew Harris began the hearing by offering his condolences to relatives including Mr Kaba’s parents, brother and cousin who sat in the courtroom.

The court was told that unarmed Mr Kaba, 24, was shot by a police marksman through the windscreen of the car that he was driving in Streatham Hill, south London, on September 5.

The Audi, that had been linked by police to a firearms incident the previous day, was being followed by an unmarked police car.

A marked patrol car then blocked the Audi into a narrow residential street, where Mr Kaba was fatally shot.

Witnesses said Mr Kaba attempted to ram his way free before he was shot.

The inquest will be adjourned while the circumstances of the shooting are investigated by watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The Metropolitan Police marksman who shot Mr Kaba has been suspended from duty.

Speaking afterwards on behalf of the family, Mr Kaba’s cousin, Jefferson Bosela said: ‘Today’s hearing was another step in achieving justice for Chris.

Chris Kaba, 24, was killed after a police car chase that ended in a narrow residential road in Streatham Hill on September 5

‘Tomorrow, 5 October, marks exactly one month since Chris was shot dead by a police officer while sitting, unarmed, in a car.

‘Ever since that terrible moment my family, and everyone that knew him are asking one question: Why?

‘A month on, and we are still very far from getting a proper answer.

‘But there is something else we want to know, which is just as important: Who will be held accountable for his death?’ 

Mr Kaba’s family last month viewed footage of the incident and met Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and IOPC director general Michael Lockwood.

The meeting between the family and police lasted around 25 minutes, according to Sky News.

‘How can a young man, sitting in a car, unarmed, be shot in the head by police in London in 2022?’ Mr Bosela said today.

‘This should never have happened. It must never happen again. We must never accept this as normal. Someone must be held accountable.

‘We are glad this matter is being investigated by the IOPC as a homicide investigation and we hope this will lead to prosecutions. But we are alarmed at what we have been told about how long this is expected to take.

‘We do not accept that this process should take longer than other murder investigations, merely because the person who killed Chris is a police officer.

The IOPC confirmed during the hearing that the probe will last between six and nine months. 

Mr Bosela demanded that officers are immediately interviewed under caution, that a CPS charging decision needs to happen urgently and that the family are regularly kept up to day with the IOPC’s investigation.

He added: ‘My cousin Chris was very much loved by us. His loss is with us every day. He had a bright future ahead of him – his first child was about to be born. That his life was cut short by a police officer is a tragedy.

‘We will not rest until the people responsible for Chris’ death are held fully accountable.’

Thousands of protesters marched to Scotland Yard in a rally over the death of the rapper last month

Speaking to Sky News last month, Mr Kaba’s mother said: ‘My heart is broken. I want justice for my son, I want the truth.’

Investigators from the IOPC will consider whether race was a factor in the fatal shooting.

In a statement, the IOPC said it would ‘explore all of the circumstances’ surrounding the death of the unarmed father-to-be, including whether ‘race influenced any actions taken by the police’.

Thousands of protesters marched to Scotland Yard in a rally over the death of the rapper last month.

The full statement on behalf of Chris Kaba’s family released today 

‘Today’s hearing was another step in achieving justice for Chris.

Tomorrow, 5 October, marks exactly one month since Chris was shot dead by a police officer while sitting, unarmed, in a car.

Ever since that terrible moment my family, and everyone that knew him are asking one question: WHY?

A month on, and we are still very far from getting a proper answer.

But there is something else we want to know, which is just as important: WHO WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS DEATH?

I am Chris’s cousin and today, we are here – as a family – because we want answers to both of those questions.

We need ANSWERS. Not just this family, but the whole of London – the whole of the country – needs to know how something like this could occur?

How can a young man, sitting in a car, unarmed, be shot in the head by police in London in 2022?

This should never have happened. It must never happen again. We must never accept this as normal. Someone must be held accountable.

We are glad this matter is being investigated by the IOPC as a homicide investigation and we hope this will lead to prosecutions. But we are alarmed at what we have been told about how long this is expected to take.

We do not accept that this process should take longer than other murder investigations, merely because the person who killed Chris is a police officer.

THREE things must now happen:

1. Officers must be interviewed under caution immediately.

We have been told that after nearly a month, neither the officer who killed Chris or any of the other officers involved have been interviewed under caution.

2. A CPS charging decision needs to happen urgently.

This should not take months and months. The evidence they need to make that decision should be available within weeks. An urgent decision on criminal charges is critical for this family, and many others, to have faith in the system that is supposed to bring them justice.

3. The family needs to be kept up to date with the investigation.

While we have had positive communications with the IOPC, at times our family has had to chase the IOPC for information or push them to do what they should be doing already. The best way for the family to have confidence in the process, is for the family to be kept closely informed at every stage.

We know there are many, many people who are as concerned about what happened to Chris as his family and friends are.

For many of them, Chris could have been their son, their brother, their cousin, their friend. In communities across London, what happened to Chris feels very personal. They understand and feel the pain our family is going through.

The family thanks everyone who has supported the justice campaign. That support has been so important – and it shows that what happened to Chris is something that thousands of people feel is unacceptable.

We also ask that anyone that has any information – people who may have seen something or may have video that was taken on a camera or a phone – please contact our lawyers and provide it to us or contact the IOPC and provide it to them. We want to ensure that we have as much evidence as possible, so that we have the best chance of ensuring justice is done.

My cousin Chris was very much loved by us. His loss is with us every day. He had a bright future ahead of him – his first child was about to be born. That his life was cut short by a police officer is a tragedy.

We will not rest until the people responsible for Chris’ death are held fully accountable.’

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