A 24-year-old unarmed black man named Chris Kaba has been shot dead by police in Streatham Hill, sparking protests and calls for justice.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is conducting a homicide investigation into his death.
A Met police officer was suspended from duty on Monday, September 12, but Mr Kaba’s family say that should have happened sooner.
Chris Kaba was shot by an officer in Kirkstall Gardens on Monday, September 5, after his vehicle was flagged by a number plate recognition camera.
At around 10pm, the camera flagged the Audi Mr Kaba was in as linked to a recent firearms incident. A pursuit followed, police boxed in the vehicle, and an officer shot Mr Kaba.
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The IOPC said that CPR was “immediately administered” and ambulance service support was quickly requested. Kaba died later that night in hospital.
His death has been met by an outpouring of grief. Speaking outside their Dulwich home, Mr Kaba’s Dad told the Daily Mail: “We just don’t understand what happened. Why didn’t they shoot him in the leg, they could’ve done that. Why did they have to kill him?”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) opened an investigation and quickly concluded that Mr Kaba was unarmed.
Their investigations would lead to the suspension of a police firearms officer. Met Assistant Commissioner Amanda Pearson said: “This decision has been reached following careful consideration of a number of factors, including the significant impact on public confidence, and in light of the IOPC announcing a homicide investigation.
“Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Mr Kaba’s family and friends. We understand how concerned communities are, particularly black communities, and thank those who are working closely with our local officers.”
The Met Police Federation’s chair said that the suspended firearm officer’s colleagues were “very concerned” by the suspension which he said was “based purely on perception”.
On Saturday, September 10, hundreds of protestors gathered outside Scotland Yard with ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘Justice for Chris Kaba’ banners.
Award-winning rapper Stormzy joined the crowds saying: “Chris has a mother, he has a family, he has brothers, he has friends, people who knew him in real life, who for them, it’s unbearable.”
Sky News apologised after a reporter mistakenly said that Chris Kaba protesters were there to mourn the Queen’s death.
Chris Kaba’s family have welcomed the decision to suspend the officer but say it should have happened sooner.
Jefferson Bosela, the family’s spokesman, said: “We welcome that decision [suspension] but, to be honest, I think the second a criminal investigation was opened he should have been suspended from there.”
Mr Bosela also said the family wasn’t told Mr Kaba had been killed until 11 hours after he’d died in hospital.
The IOPC investigation is ongoing.