No firearm found in car of man shot dead following police pursuit, IOPC confirms

A man, identified as 24-year-old Chris Kaba from Wembley, was shot dead by armed Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers following a police pursuit.

The IOPC said its investigators were “working hard to establish the circumstances surrounding the fatal police shooting of Mr Kaba in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill”.

It added: “We understand at this stage that police officers in an armed response vehicle attempted to stop the vehicle Mr Kaba was in, following the activation of an automatic numberplate recognition camera which indicated the vehicle was linked to a firearms incident in the previous days.

“As the investigation into that incident is ongoing by the MPS, it would not be appropriate to provide further information.

“We can confirm that around 10pm, as armed officers attempted to stop and contain the vehicle, a single shot was discharged by a police officer. CPR was immediately administered by officers at the scene and support was quickly requested from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance. Mr Kaba sadly died in hospital later that night.”

The IOPC said following the completion of “a detailed search of the scene and surrounding area”, no non-police issue firearm has been recovered from the vehicle or the scene.

“A detailed forensic examination will be completed on the vehicle Mr Kaba was driving and on some of the police vehicles involved, which have been removed from the scene and taken to a secure location,” it said.

The IOPC said it had met with Mr Kaba’s family members to explain its role and update them on its investigation.

“We will continue to update them as our investigation continues,” it said.

The MPS has expressed its condolences to the family and friends of Mr Kaba, saying it understands that “the family and community want answers”.

In a statement, MPS Commander Alexis Boon, said: “I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the man who died and I recognise the devastating and lasting impact this tragic incident will have on them.

“I understand that this incident is extremely concerning and I would like to reassure the community that the Met is cooperating fully with the IOPC as they carry out a thorough and independent investigation.

“I also recognise that the family and community want answers about what happened. I know the IOPC investigators are working hard to establish the facts but also need some time and space to be able to progress their inquiries.

“Myself, along with the local policing commander, have met with key partners and community members, and will continue to actively work together to engage with, and to reassure the public, at this difficult time.”

Regional Director Sal Naseem said the IOPC is committed to carrying out a thorough and comprehensive investigation to establish all of the facts surrounding this fatal shooting.

“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,” he said.

“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.

“While these details are still being confirmed, we ask that the public avoid speculating about this incident out of respect for Mr Kaba’s family and for anyone else affected.”

Mr Naseem added: “This investigation is complex in nature and there is a large amount of evidence that our investigators are continuing to gather and review.

“While we have already undertaken some door-to-door inquiries in the neighbourhood, there is likely to be members of the public we are yet to speak to which may have information that could assist our investigation.”

He said anyone with information that may be useful in helping “to paint the picture of the events that evening” is urged to contact the IOPC.

He added: “Our heartfelt sympathies remain with Mr Kaba’s family and friends, and everyone affected by this tragic incident.”

In a statement issued on Thursday (September 8), IOPC Director General Michael Lockwood said: “In light of the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba in Lambeth on Monday, today we met with members of the local community.

“We heard their significant concerns and we understand their depth of feeling. We know they have many questions about what happened on Monday evening and our investigation will seek to answer those questions for Chris’s family and the wider community. I hope people will understand that we are only able to make information available to the public once we have independently verified facts, and we are certain that releasing that information will not prejudice our investigation.

“Fatal police shootings are rare, but when they do happen it’s important they are thoroughly and robustly investigated by the IOPC which is independent of the police and the Government. I would like to reassure everyone that we will independently investigate without fear or favour and ensure no stone is left unturned. We have the powers we need to do that including, if necessary, conducting a criminal investigation if the evidence indicates that a criminal offence may have been committed.

“I appreciate there are many questions that need to be answered and I can assure you that we will work tirelessly to answer those questions. We have already gathered a large amount of evidence which is subject to detailed analysis and this will take time. This includes reviewing a large amount of footage including from body worn video, police car dashcams, police helicopter and CCTV, and interviewing key witnesses. We would ask that the community bear with us as we continue this important work.

“All of our thoughts remain with Chris’s family and friends and all of those affected by this tragic incident.”