A homicide investigation has been launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct into a fatal shooting by police in Lambeth earlier this week.
Chris Kaba, aged 24 from Wembley, was shot by the Metropolitan Police Service in Streatham Hill on Monday 5 September following a vehicle pursuit.
The incident was referred to the IOPC, which has now stated that the investigation has entered a “new phase”.
In a statement released tonight, it said: “Mr Kaba died after a single shot was fired by an MPS officer from the specialist firearms command while police attempted to stop and contain the vehicle he was driving.
“This followed the activation of an automatic number plate recognition camera which indicated the vehicle was linked to a firearms incident in previous days. The vehicle Mr Kaba was driving was not registered to him.
“Our investigation team is continuing to gather and review a large amount of evidence, however as this is now a criminal investigation, we are limited in what further information we can provide.
“The launch of a criminal investigation does not mean that criminal charges will necessarily follow.
“We have notified Mr Kaba’s family of this latest development.
“We continue to ask that people avoid speculating about this incident out of respect for Mr Kaba’s family and for everyone else affected.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “This is a significant development. From the outset I have been in close touch with the independent police watchdog, the IOPC, who said they would be thorough and go wherever the evidence took them.
“Their investigation has now resulted in the launch of a homicide investigation into Chris Kaba’s death.
“My heartfelt sympathies remain with Chris Kaba’s family, friends and loved ones, who are having to come to terms with a young life cut short.
“I fully understand the grave concerns and impact of Chris’ death on Black Londoners across our city and the anger, pain and fear it has caused – as well as the desire for justice and change.
“I appreciate that there are many unanswered questions and I want to reassure all of London’s communities that I will continue to push for these to be answered.”
Met Police Assistant Commissioner Amanda Pearson said: “My thoughts and sympathies remain with Mr Kaba’s friends and family with this news. I also know how concerned our communities are and how they will also be affected by this significant update. We share their concern.
“The Met is co-operating fully as the IOPC work to independently establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“I absolutely understand that this shooting is a matter of grave concern, particularly for our Black communities.
“I’d urge the public to allow the IOPC the time and space needed to progress the investigation.”
Featured image credit: INQUEST Lawyers Group members Daniel Machover of Hickman and Rose
