The family of Chris Kaba have reiterated their call for 'justice' after being shown the bodycam footage of his shooting during a meeting with the new commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley.
Kaba, an unarmed black man, was killed on September 5 after a police pursuit of his car which ended in Streatham Hill, south London.
His Audi was hemmed in by two police vehicles in Kirkstall Gardens, a narrow residential street, and one round was fired from a police weapon.
The Met police officer involved has been suspended by the force and the Independent Office for Public Conduct is investigating.
Protesters march for justice for Chris Kaba
MAJA SMIEJKOWSKA
On Wednesday, Kaba’s family met with Met Police commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, and the IOPC director general, Michael Lockwood, where they were shown bodycam footage of the incident.
Following the meeting, Kaba’s mother, Helen Nkama, said: “It was hard… very hard.
“As I’ve said before, my heart is already broken. What I want is justice for my son and I want the truth.”
Jefferson Bosela, Kaba’s cousin who was also at the meeting, said: “It was hard, but the family just wants justice. For now, the family are going to take a break and take a step back.”
Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill where rapper Chris Kaba was shot
Andrew Quinn
A statement from the Met confirmed the meeting, which lasted around 25 minutes.
“The commissioner met the family of Chris Kaba this evening,” a spokesperson for the force said on Wednesday. “This was a private meeting.”
Investigators from the IOPC will consider whether race was a factor in the fatal shooting.
In a statement, the IOPC said it would “explore all of the circumstances” surrounding the death of the 24-year-old father-to-be, including whether “race influenced any actions taken by the police”.
An inquest into Kaba’s death will be opened on 4 October.
