Dad-to-be Chris Kaba, 24, didn’t have a gun when he was shot dead by armed cops, IOPC says
A DAD-to-be shot dead by armed police did not have a gun on him when he was killed, an independent investigation has found.
Chris Kaba, 24, died after police attempted to stop his vehicle when a number plate recognition camera indicated it could be linked to a firearms incident days earlier.
Following a chase, an armed officer fired a single shot at Mr Kaba, fatally wounding him, in Streatham Hill, South London, at around 10pm on Monday.
Despite efforts from police and paramedics, the expectant dad from Wembley, North London, tragically later died in hospital.
A detailed search of the scene in Kirkstall Gardens has now been completed and revealed Mr Kaba did not have a gun or any weapon on him at the time.
In a statement, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said: "No non-police issue firearm has been recovered from the vehicle or the scene."
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Mr Kaba was a drill rapper known as Madix or Mad Itch, and was part of the MOBO-nominated drill group 67.
The IOPC said they had met with Mr Kaba’s family on Wednesday to explain the police's role and update them on the investigation.
Speaking to BBC London, dad Prosper Kaba branded the killing of their son "criminal".
Meanwhile Mr Kaba's mum, Helen Nkama, said: "My heart is broken. I am speechless."
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Describing the events that led to Mr Kaba's tragic death, the IOPC said: "We understand at this stage that police officers in an armed response vehicle attempted to stop the vehicle Mr Kaba was in..
"Following the activation of an automatic number plate recognition camera which indicated the vehicle was linked to a firearms incident in the previous days.
"As the investigation into that incident is ongoing by the Metropolitan Police, it would not be appropriate to provide further information.
"We can confirm that around 10pm, as armed officers attempted to stop and contain the vehicle, a single shot was discharged by a police officer.
"CPR was immediately administered by officers at the scene and support was quickly requested from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance. Mr Kaba sadly died in hospital later that night."
A detailed forensic examination will be completed on the vehicle Mr Kaba was driving and on some of the police vehicles involved, the IOPC added.
Regional Director Sal Naseem said the IOPC is committed to carrying out a thorough and comprehensive investigation to establish all of the facts surrounding this fatal shooting.
He 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.
"While these details are still being confirmed, we ask that the public avoid speculating about this incident out of respect for Mr Kaba's family and for anyone else affected.
“This investigation is complex in nature and there is a large amount of evidence that our investigators are continuing to gather and review.
“While we have already undertaken some door-to-door enquiries in the neighbourhood, there is likely to be members of the public we are yet to speak to which may have information that could assist our investigation.
“Our heartfelt sympathies remain with Mr Kaba’s family and friends, and everyone affected by this tragic incident.”
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Anyone with information are urged to contact the IOPC by phoning 0300 303 0779.
Or you can email [email protected] - referencing “Streatham Hill”.
