Chris Kaba shooting: Family demand homicide investigation as no gun found in car

The family of Chris Kaba, the 24-year-old man shot dead by armed police, have demanded a homicide investigation into his death as authorities confirmed only a police issue gun was found at the scene.

The rapper, from Wembley, also known as Madiz and part of the MOBO-nominated drill group 67, was due to be a father before he was shot by police on Monday following a car chase which ended in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham.

It has now been confirmed that “no non-police issue firearm has been recovered from the vehicle or the scene”, by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is investigating the case.

The family of Mr Kaba issued a statement demanding answers and information from the authorities.

The statement said: “The family of Chris Kaba seek a homicide investigation into his death from the outset.

“We have told the IOPC of that demand and that we do not want any delay as has happened in other fatal shootings – otherwise we and the wider public can have no confidence that the police will be held to account.

“We are devastated. We need answers and we need accountability. We are worried that if Chris had not been black, he would have been arrested on Monday evening and not had his life cut short.”

Mr Kaba’s father told BBC News the incident was “totally racist and criminal”.

“My heart is broken, I am speechless… police have taken Chris from me,” said his mother.

In a statement, the IOPC said: “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.”

They said that at around 10pm that evening armed officers attempted to stop and contain the vehicle when a single shot was fired by a police officer, then CPR was given by officers at the scene and support was quickly requested from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance.

It added: “A detailed search of the scene and surrounding area was completed last night. No non-police issue firearm has been recovered from the vehicle or the scene.”

The family of Mr Kaba said they were “desperately appealing for any witnesses”, before, during or after the car chase and the shooting.

They have asked anyone who has information to inform the IOPC or Hickman Rose, the family solicitors.

Mr Kaba’s fiance, Karima Waite, who is pregnant with his child, said: “He was a very kind, loving and caring young man, he would do anything for anyone to help them if they were in need.

“He was funny and ambitious, he got an apprenticeship with a construction firm and was looking forward to being a father. He was so focused on building a positive future for his child on the way.”

Ms Waite’s mother, Kim Alleyne, 49, told the media on Tuesday at the scene of the shooting that Mr Kaba “was so loved”.

She said: “He was so funny. He was super-kind. Crazy. He was always happy. He’d do anything for you.”

Deborah Coles, director of Inquest, the family representatives, said: “When the police kill, they must be held accountable to the rule of law. Inquest fully supports the family’s call for this to be a criminal investigation from the outset. It is essential that fatal use of force by police is examined with this high level of scrutiny.

“There is rightly anger and frustration at yet another b

lack man whose life has been cut short after the use of lethal force by police. Too often we see misinformation and demonisation of those who die. We hope this is not repeated here, as family and friends mourn the loss of a loved one.”

IOPC regional director, Sal Naseem, 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.”

Pictured top: Chris Kaba (Picture: Family handout)