An upcoming rapper from the UK was shot and killed by a policeman on Monday while unarmed.
After a police monitoring group discovered there were no weapons or firearms in the 24-year-car old’s during a police stop, Chris Kaba‘s devastated family demanded a formal murder probe.
In the music industry, Kaba was known as Madix or Mad Itch 67, and he was soon to become a parent.
“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,” his family said in a statement.
Just before 10:00 p.m., police pursued Kaba through Lambeth, South London. on Monday when a licence plate camera automatically detected that the car was connected to a recent armed incident. Two police cars had surrounded the Audi Kaba was operating.
Cops have not yet provided information regarding the circumstances surrounding the officer-involved shooting. How many shots were fired is unknown.
When anyone loses their life as a result of police force, it's important it is properly & thoroughly investigated.
It's right the IOPC are undertaking an investigation into the shooting of Chris Kaba, who we now have confirmation was unarmed. I've spoken to the IOPC today. 1/2
Advertisement— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) September 7, 2022
According to records from an inquest, this is the first fatal shooting committed by the Metropolitan Police this year.
After a thorough examination, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) reported that no “non-police issue firearm” had been discovered.
Kaba’s family requested “answers and accountability” for his death and accused the police of being “absolutely prejudiced.”
“The family of Chris Kaba seek a homicide investigation into his death from the outset,” his family said in a statement. “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.”
On Wednesday, the IOPC met with Kaba’s distraught family members to give them an update on the inquiry.
“We recognize that there is community concern following this incident and we appreciate that questions will remain around how Kaba tragically ended up being fatally shot following an attempted vehicle stop,” Sal Naseem, regional director of the watchdog, said in a statement.
“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.”
“I would like to reassure the community that the Met is cooperating fully with the Independent Office for Police Conduct as they carry out a thorough and independent investigation.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan took to Twitter Wednesday, saying his “thoughts remain with all those affected by this awful incident.”
“When anyone loses their life as a result of police force, it’s important it is properly & thoroughly investigated,” Khan tweeted.
