Shot by Met officer: Chris Kaba's family demand answers over his death

‘Enough is enough’: Family of Chris Kaba demand answers over death of 24-year-old who was shot dead by Met Police officer six months ago

  • Chris Kaba, 24, was shot dead by a Met officer six months ago in Streatham Hill
  • Police watchdog the IOPC is conducting a murder investigation into his death 
  • His family said: ‘This should never have happened. It must never happen again.’ 

The family of a man who was shot dead by police six months ago say ‘enough is enough’ and that they have waited too long for answers over who is responsible.

Chris Kaba, 24, died after being shot by a Metropolitan Police firearms officer in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill, London, shortly after 10pm on September 5.

He was followed by an unmarked police car with no lights or sirens turned on in the minutes before the shooting, an inquest heard. 

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), is carrying out a murder investigation.

However, relatives of the father-to-be have called for an urgent decision on criminal charges in the case. 

Chris Kaba, 24, died after being shot by a Metropolitan Police firearms officer in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill, London, shortly after 10pm on September 5

Relatives of the father-to-be, including his mother Helen Lumuanganu (pictured) have called for an urgent decision on criminal charges in the case

They say IOPC have ‘had enough time to gather evidence and take steps towards seeking CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) advice on criminal charges for those involved in Chris’ death’.

Mr Kaba’s mother Helen Lumuanganu said: ‘We have waited for six months already for the decision. We don’t want to wait for another six months.

‘This, for us, is a painful reminder of something that will never change. Enough is enough.’

The family, who say they are still waiting for answers and action, believe the firearms officer involved in the shooting has been interviewed under caution.

In a joint statement, they said: ‘We must never accept a young unarmed Black man being shot by police on the streets of London as normal. This should never have happened. It must never happen again.’

READ MORE: Father-to-be Chris Kaba, 24, was UNARMED when he was shot dead by police after chase, watchdog reveals – as his family call for a murder probe and ask ‘if he wasn’t black, would he have been arrested not shot?’ 

They want an urgent decision on whether the police involved in the incident will be charged and they have also described the updates they have received as having ‘not been sufficiently frequent or meaningful’.

An inquest at Inner South London Coroner’s Court in October heard that Mr Kaba was followed by an unmarked police car with no lights or sirens turned on in the minutes before the shooting.

After his Audi drove down Kirkstall Gardens he was blocked by a marked police vehicle and there was ‘contact’ between the two cars, the court heard, before a marksman fired a single shot through the windscreen, hitting Mr Kaba in the head.

In a joint statement on Friday, Mr Kaba’s family said: ‘For the past six months our primary questions as a family have been: “Why did this happen and who will be held accountable?”

‘We were told that we would have to wait six to nine months before these questions could begin to be answered. For a grieving family, already that was too long. We are still waiting.’

Chris Kaba’s cousin Jefferson Bosela reads a statement outside Inner South London Coroner’s Court, alongside Chris’s uncle Kiyika Nkama Nkamu (left), father Prosper Kaba (second left) and mother Helen Lumuanganu after the inquest into his death in October

In a joint statement, they said: ‘We must never accept a young unarmed Black man being shot by police on the streets of London as normal. This should never have happened. It must never happen again’

They added: ‘As a family we urge the IOPC to take immediate action to progress advice on criminal charges, and the Crown Prosecution Service to provide this advice without any further delay.

‘Chris was so loved by our family and all his friends. He had a bright future ahead of him before his life was cut short. Alongside the community of supporters standing with us, our family cannot wait any longer.’

The IOPC said it is ‘confident’ that its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting will end within the six to nine month time frame that it originally gave.

A spokesman said: ‘We are awaiting an external report which we require in order to conclude our investigation, finalise our report and then decide whether or not to refer a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision.

‘We continue to provide regular updates to representatives for the Kaba family in line with IOPC policy.’

Crowds demanding ‘Justice for Chris Kaba’ assembled outside of New Scotland Yard in September to protest his death.

Crowds demanding ‘Justice for Chris Kaba’ assembled outside of New Scotland Yard in September to protest his death

Protesters gathered outside New Scotland Yard demanding justice for Chris Kaba in September

The aspiring rapper’s death triggered a slew of protests led by Black Lives Matter.

Ex-labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was among those participating in marches as he took to Twitter demanding justice for Mr Kaba.

The IOPC said it would ‘explore all of the circumstances’ surrounding Mr Kaba’s death, including whether ‘race influenced any actions taken by the police’. 

Mr Kaba’s cousin, Jefferson Bosela, who has taken on the role of family spokesperson, said at the protests that the IOPC’s timeline for the homicide investigation lacked urgency and claimed the office had not been ‘necessarily helpful.’

Another cousin, who also spoke at the event, outlined the family’s demands which included transparency throughout the investigation and a ‘charging decision within weeks and not months.’

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