Chris Kaba, who was due to become a father within months, died after a car chase that ended in Streatham Hill on Monday night. The 24-year-old’s Audi plowed through two police patrol cars on the narrow residential road Kirkstall Gardens before a round was fired from a police weapon. CPR was immediately administered by officers at the scene and Mr Kaba was taken to hospital where he died later that night, the Independent Office for Policing Conduct (IOPC) confirmed. The warden said it was understood police tried to stop him after an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera was activated, suggesting the car he was driving was linked to a firearms incident in previous days. A thorough search was completed Tuesday night and no non-police firearm was found in the vehicle or at the scene, the IOPC said. It appears that the only gun recovered from the scene was the one involved in the incident. In a statement on Wednesday night, the IOPC said: “We understand at this stage that officers in an armed response vehicle attempted to stop the vehicle Mr Kaba was in after an automatic number plate recognition camera was activated which showed that the vehicle was linked to a firearms incident in the previous days. ITV News reporter Sam Holder speaks to concerned locals in Streatham Hill “As the investigation into this incident is ongoing by MPS, it would not be appropriate to release any further information.” He added: “A detailed search of the scene and surrounding area was completed last night. No non-police firearms were recovered from the vehicle or scene. “ Forensic tests will be completed on Mr Kamba’s car and some of the police vehicles involved in the incident, the warden said. Regional director Sal Naseem said the IOPC was committed to conducting a “thorough and comprehensive” investigation to establish all the facts surrounding the shooting. “We recognize that there is community concern following this incident and we appreciate that questions will remain as to how Mr. Kaba ended up being fatally shot after attempting to stop a vehicle,” he said. “We are working hard to gather all the circumstances surrounding this incident and want to reassure the community that these questions will be answered in due course, however it will take some time before our investigation can uncover all the facts. “While these details are still being confirmed, we ask the public to refrain from speculating about this incident out of respect for Mr. Kaba’s family and anyone else affected.” The scene at Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA Mr Kaba’s family earlier questioned whether his life would have been “cut short” had he not been black – as they called for a homicide investigation into his death. They said Wednesday they were “devastated” and needed “answers and accountability” for his death. In a statement released through the charity Inquest, they said: “Chris Kaba’s family are seeking a homicide investigation into his death at the outset. “We have today told the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) about this request and that we do not want any delay as has happened in other fatal shootings – otherwise we and the wider public can have no confidence that the police will be held to account. “We also want the IOPC to tell us whether or not a weapon was found in any search of the vehicle Chris was driving. We have not received this information even though the shooting happened almost two days ago. Kim Alleyne (R) whose daughter Karimah Waite was engaged to Mr Kaba described the events as “shocking and sad”. Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA “Finally, we are desperately appealing for any witnesses, either before, during or after the pursuit and shooting, to come forward to the IOPC and/or our attorneys at Hickman and Rose. “We are devastated. we need answers and we need accountability. We are concerned that if Chris had not been black, he would have been arrested on Monday afternoon and not executed.” The Metropolitan Police earlier offered its condolences to Mr Kaba’s relatives, saying the force understood “the family and the community want answers”. Want a quick and special update on the biggest news? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out what you need to know… In a statement issued earlier on Wednesday, Commander Alexis Boone said the incident was “extremely concerning” and promised the force would work with the police watchdog going forward. The officer said: “I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the man who died and I recognize 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 co-operating fully with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as it conducts a thorough and independent investigation.” Crime squads were working at the scene in Streatham Hill on Tuesday Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA The pastor at a church Mr. Kamba attended as a child said discussions took place in the church community to organize a vigil for him. Reverend Siaa-Liane Mathurin, of New Park Road Baptist Church, said: “Chris came to the church when he was young. He was from here, he lived just over the road. “The community is scared. Young people came to me and asked me “why did they shoot him?” “There are families who did not send their children to school today. Floral tributes left at the scene Credit: Andrew Quinn/PA “I’m talking to community leaders about organizing a demonstration or a vigil.” Speaking on stage on Tuesday, Kim Alleyne, 49, whose daughter Karimah Waite was engaged to Mr Kaba, said of him: “He was so loved. He was so funny. He was super kind. Crazy. He was always happy. He would do anything for you. “He was engaged, he was to be married in five months. She has a baby on the way that she’s never going to see. “It’s horrible and so shocking and so sad.” Jefferson Bosella, 27, who was Kaba’s cousin, said: “He was a good man, a good, happy guy. He didn’t deserve this. Nobody deserves this. “Nobody deserves to be shot by the police, whether they’re a good person or a bad person.”
