A police officer has been suspended as part of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba in London last week. The 24-year-old man was shot in the head and killed on Monday (September 5) while he was unarmed.
Now, a Met Police officer is to be suspended after the police watchdog launched a homicide investigation, reports MirrorOnline. A post-mortem took place on Friday to determine cause of death.
Mr Kaba was driving an Audi which was initially rammed before being boxed in by police in Streatham Hill, south London. He was killed by a single shot that entered through the driver's side of the windscreen of the car.
The watchdog has previously confirmed that no gun was found in the vehicle. One officer was served with a gross misconduct notice following Mr Kaba's death.
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. We are actively supporting the IOPC investigation and would ask those with information that could be useful in establishing what happened to contact the IOPC directly to maintain the independence of their investigation.
“The decision to suspend the officer does not determine the outcome of the IOPC investigation. Firearms officers serve to protect the public and know that on the rare occasions when they discharge their weapons, they will face intense scrutiny. I know this development will have a significant impact on the officer and colleagues.”
On Saturday, Mr Kaba's family demanded the Metropolitan Police officer involved in his shooting was “immediately suspended”. The family said they were “shocked” the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) only made the decision to launch their investigation into the Streatham Hill incident on Friday.
In a statement issued on their behalf, Daniel Machover, head of civil litigation at solicitors Hickman & Rose, said: “Following a police stop in Streatham, south west London, shortly after 10pm on Monday 5 September, a firearms officer employed by the MPS fired a fatal shot at Chris Kaba while he was seated, unarmed, in a car. On being notified of the death of Chris Kaba, the IOPC should have immediately opened a homicide and disciplinary investigation.
"The family was shocked to learn on Wednesday, 7 September, that the IOPC had still not done so and demanded a change of heart without delay. The family therefore welcome the IOPC’s decisions on Friday, 9 September, to open homicide and disciplinary investigations against that firearms officer, however belatedly.
“The family now await the outcome of that investigation, but seek a charging decision in this case in weeks or a few months, not years. Public confidence in the police and our justice system requires the IOPC and CPS to find a way to make decisions in this case on a timescale that delivers justice to all concerned. Avoidable delay is unacceptable.
“In the meantime, the family demand that the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis immediately suspend the firearms officer, pending the outcome of the investigation.”
Approximately 400 people gathered in Parliament Square on Saturday to march on Scotland Yard demanding justice. Lambeth MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who says she heard the sound of a helicopter on the night Chris died, is among those to have joined the demonstration to "support the family".
"There's a great sense of shock," she told the Mirror. "The family wanted to have something themselves, something peaceful. They have to tell people what's going on or people will make their own conclusions and people will think something is amiss."
Temi Mwale, director of the 4front project, addressed the crowd in an emotional speech.
"Today I feel very angry and frustrated like most people here," she said. "There's a collective grief and collective trauma, especially for the black community. It seems we can be killed by police in this country with impunity."
