Police officer who shot Chris Kaba charged with murder

Chris Kaba's family welcomed the decision, saying it 'could not come soon enough', as Sejal Karia reports

The police officer who shot and killed 24-year-old Chris Kaba in September 2022 has been charged with murder, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Mr Kaba was fatally injured during a 'hard stop' by the police in Streatham Hill, south London, last year.

The officer, identified only as NX121, will attend Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 21 September.

The charging decision was made by the CPS following a referral from the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The CPS and IOPC have not publicly named the officer, as would be usual when an adult is charged with murder, because it is understood that the officer intends to make an application for anonymity at court.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap said: “We have fully supported the IOPC investigation as it has worked to establish the facts.

“Today’s announcement is a significant and serious development. We must now allow the court process to run its course so it would not be appropriate for me to say more at this stage.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this case.”

The family of Chris Kaba welcomed the decision, saying: “Chris was so very loved by our family and all his friends. He had a bright future ahead of him, but his life was cut short. Our family and our wider community must see justice for Chris."

They added that the decision "could not have come too soon", and they "pray justice will be served."

Now we await the trial of the firearms officer without delay and hope and pray that justice will be served.”

Local MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) that her "thoughts and prayers are with Chris's loved ones"

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Federation said: “Being a firearms officer in London is one of the world’s toughest jobs. Officers, who volunteer for the role, know the responsibility and accountability that come with it.

"The Metropolitan Police Federation notes today's statement from the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to one of our firearms colleagues and make no further comment on that at this time.

"What we will say is that this decision will leave serving Metropolitan Police colleagues concerned as they go about their incredibly difficult and dangerous work. 

“The officer in question retains our full support as we now go through the legal process."

Mr Kaba was followed by an unmarked police car with no lights or sirens on the day he died, while he was driving an Audi that did not belong to him.

He drove into Kirkstall Gardens, a narrow residential street, which was blocked by a marked patrol car, and the marksman fired once through the windscreen, hitting him in the head.

It is rare for police officers to be charged with murder or manslaughter.

According to the charity Inquest, since 1990 there have been 1,869 deaths in or following police custody in England and Wales.

Of those there have been 12 cases where an officer has been charged with murder or manslaughter.

There has only been one conviction of a police officer in that time – West Mercia Police Constable Benjamin Monk who was jailed in 2021 for the manslaughter of former footballer Dalian Atkinson.

Mr Atkinson was tasered to the ground and kicked in the head in 2016.

The officer remains suspended from duty. Misconduct matters will be considered at the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.

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