Chris Kaba was shot by armed officers (Inquest/PA)
(Picture: PA Media)The family of Chris Kaba, a 24-year-old unarmed black man who was shot dead by police, have said they were not told about his death until 11 hours after it happened.
Mr Kaba was fatally shot by police in Streatham Hill, south London, after a vehicle stop on September 5.
The police watchdog, the IOPC, later launched a homicide probe into the killing, having earlier said that no gun was found in the car Mr Kaba was driving.
The IOPC said officers had pursued the car because an ANPR camera suggested it had been linked to a firearms incident in previous days. It later said the vehicle was not registered to him.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, his cousin, Jefferson Bosela, said: “The family found out 11 hours [after he died], so his mum would have woken up and have gone to work not knowing that her son wasn’t alive any more.”
Hundreds of protesters took part in a demonstration in the wake of the shooting on Saturday, with many gathering outside New Scotland Yard in protest.
On Monday, the force confirmed that the officer in question had been suspended from frontline duties.
Streatham MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, and Harriet Harman, the MP for Camberwell and Peckham, joined calls from family and campaigners earlier this week for the officer to be suspended, saying it was “incomprehensible” the officer had not been disciplined.
Mr Bosela said the family welcomed the decision to eventually suspend the officer, but that the IOPC was being too slow to act.
He said: “I think the second an investigation was opened he should have been suspended from there.
“You know, it’s the fact that the IOPC are moving a bit too slow. First we wanted a criminal investigation opened and that took three to four days, and then we wanted the officer suspended and that took another two days.
“So it seems that there is no urgency in their dealings in this tragic matter.”
The Standard has contacted the Met for comment.
In a statement on Monday, assistant commissioner Amanda Pearson said: “Following the death of Chris Kaba, the firearms officer involved has been suspended from duty.
“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 Independent Office for Police Conduct 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.”
