Chris Kaba: Met Police firearms officer who fatally shot father-to-be suspended from duty
The Met is facing tough questions over the death of Chris Kaba, as his family are demanding justice for their son - ITV News' Martin Stew reports.
The firearms officer who fatally shot father-to-be Chris Kaba has been suspended from duty, the Metropolitan Police have said.
Assistant Commissioner Amanda Pearson said the decision was made after the force considered how much public confidence was being affected by the incident, with particular concern among Black communities.
“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," she said.
“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."
She added that the decision to suspend the officer does not determine the outcome of the IOPC investigation.
The decision comes after Mr Kaba's family demanded the officer involved should be “immediately suspended”.
His family has questioned whether his life would have been “cut short” if he were not Black and demanded “answers and accountability”.
The 24-year-old - who was due to become a father within months - died following a pursuit that ended in Streatham Hill, last week.
The Audi he was driving was hemmed in by two police cars in narrow residential street Kirkstall Gardens before one round was fired from a police weapon.
The IOPC said Mr Kaba died after a single shot was fired by an MPS officer from the specialist firearms command while police attempted to stop and contain the vehicle.
The watchdog said he was driving a vehicle not registered to him that had been flagged up by an automatic number plate recognition camera as having been linked to a firearms incident in previous days.
On Saturday, thousands of protesters gathered outside Scotland Yard, calling for answers over the incident, as speakers led chants of “no justice, no peace”.
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