Family of Chris Kaba are shown police bodycam footage of cop shooting him dead through car windscreen after pursuit: Mother says watching video was ‘very hard’ and calls for ‘justice’
- Chris Kaba, 24 was shot dead by police in Streatham Hill, south London
- His family has watched body-cam footage of the moments leading to his death
- They met with new Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley
- Mr Kaba’s mother Helen Nkama called for ‘justice’ and ‘the truth’ for her son
The family of unarmed black man Chris Kaba who was shot dead by a Metropolitan Police officer has renewed calls for ‘justice’ after being shown body-worn police camera footage of the shooting.
Mr Kaba, 24, was killed on September 5 following 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 Metropolitan Police officer involved has been suspended by the force and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating.
Mr Kaba’s mother Helen Nkama told Sky News it was ‘very hard’ to watch the footage, which the family had asked to see.
‘It was hard…it was very hard,’ she said.
Chris Kaba (pictured) was shot dead by a Metropolitan Police officer during a traffic stop on September 5
Mr Kaba, 24, was killed following a police pursuit of his car which ended in Streatham Hill, south London
She added: ‘As I’ve said before, my heart is already broken.
‘What I want is justice and I want the truth, the truth, that’s what I want for Chris. I need the truth.’
The family watched the video at their solicitors’ office before later having a meeting with the new Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and IOPC director general Michael Lockwood on Wednesday, according to the BBC.
A statement issued on behalf of the family said: ‘Today, the family of Chris Kaba had private meetings with the new Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and the director general of the IOPC, Michael Lockwood. The family will not be making any further comment at this time.’
Police boxed in the car Mr Kaba was driving, pictured centre, before he was shot dead
The meeting between the family and police lasted around 25 minutes, reports said.
Mr Kaba’s cousin Jefferson Bosela, who was also said to be at the meeting, echoed Ms Nkama’s comments and said the family would now be taking a ‘step back’.
A statement from the Met Police confirmed the meeting.
‘The Commissioner met the family of Chris Kaba this evening,’ a spokesperson for the force said. ‘This was a private meeting.’
Investigators from the IOPC will consider whether race was a factor in the fatal shooting.
Chris Kaba’s parents Prosper and Elaine previously speaking out about the death of their son
In a statement, the IOPC said it would ‘explore all of the circumstances’ surrounding the death of the unarmed 24-year-old father-to-be, including whether ‘race influenced any actions taken by the police’.
An IOPC spokesman today told the MailOnline: ‘While I’m aware of the reports, we won’t be commenting on our private and confidential meetings with the family of Chris Kaba or their representatives, as we must maintain the integrity of this ongoing criminal investigation.’
An inquest into Mr Kaba’s death will be opened on October 4.
Crowds demanding ‘Justice for Chris Kaba’ assembled outside of New Scotland Yard to protest Met Police’s killing of the 24-year-old father-to-be at the weekend.
The vigil was addressed by former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who now sits in the House of Commons as an independent
Hundreds of people stood outside New Scotland Yard for the vigil demanding ‘Justice for Chris Kaba’, many holding banners
A sign saying ‘no justice, no peace’ as campaigners came together over the weekend
Ex- labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was among those participating in Saturday’s march
Police performed CPR on Mr Kaba and he was rushed to hospital but he died shortly after
Flowers and candles left on Kirkstall Gardens in tribute to Mr Kaba, who died after being hit by a single firearm round
The aspiring rapper’s death triggered a slew of protests led by Black Lives Matter, with the latest taking place outside police headquarters. Ex-labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was among those participating in Saturday’s march.
‘We cannot live the pain felt by his family, but we can support them in demanding #JusticeForChrisKaba,’ Mr Corbyn tweeted.
Mr Kaba’s cousin, Jefferson Bosela, who has taken on the role of family spokesperson said the IOPC’s timeline for the homicide investigation ‘lacks urgency’ and claims the office has not been ‘necessarily helpful.’
He spoke to Saturday’s crowd to thank everyone for ‘their love and support’ for the family during these ‘trying times.’
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