The rapper Stormzy has joined protesters to support the family of a dad-to-be who was shot dead by a Metropolitan Police officer. Chris Kaba, who was unarmed, died after a police pursuit of a car ended in south London on Monday night.
Crowds - including Stormzy - gathered outside Scotland Yard today (September 10) to demand justice for Mr Kaba, who was 24 and due to become a father within months. During the protest, Stormzy said: "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."
He urged Mr Kaba's loved ones to "have stamina" in their efforts to raise awareness of his death and the events surrounding it. "What they've done is they've killed someone," Stormzy added.
"We can't sugarcoat it." Hackney Labour MP Diane Abbott and Streatham Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy were also at the event in the capital, which saw supporters in the crowd carrying signs saying 'justice for Chris Kaba' and 'black lives matter'.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched a homicide investigation into the incident. Mr Kaba's family has welcomed this move.
The IOPC said the development "does not mean that criminal charges will necessarily follow". The police watchdog also previously confirmed that no gun was found in the Audi Mr Kaba was driving when he was fatally shot.
Met Assistant Commissioner Amanda Pearson said on Friday the officer involved was not currently on operational duties and their work status would be carefully considered going forward. She said the force was cooperating fully with the IOPC investigation.
Ms Pearson said she "absolutely understands that this shooting is a matter of grave concern, particularly for our black communities". She added: "I also know what a difficult and often dangerous job firearms officers in particular do every day to try to protect the public.
"They understand and expect that on the very rare occasions they discharge their weapons they will face intense scrutiny."
