'My heart is broken': Mother of London rapper shot dead by Met officers brands force 'totally racist'

7 September 2022, 20:14 | Updated: 8 September 2022, 10:18

The family of a London rapper shot dead by Metropolitan Police officers have claimed the force is 'totally racist.'

The mother of Chris Kaba, 24, told the BBC "my heart is broken, I am speechless" as she called for a murder investigation into his death.

"Police have taken Chris from me, I don't know how to say, but I need justice to be done for Chris. This is very racist, it is no good.

"I need justice to be done, criminal justice to be done."

Father Prosper Kaba said: "We are shocked to see that, in this century, from specialists of the law, like police, can shortcut someone's life, especially a young boy.

"And from all the questions we have: 'why this, why that?', no-one can give justification on the police acts.

"For us, it is totally racist and criminal.

The family have asked for privacy while also calling for a murder investigation to be launched as soon as possible.

It comes after the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said no firearm was found in Kaba's car after he was shot dead.

The family have urged the the IOPC to reveal details on whether a weapon relating to Mr Kaba's death had been found in a statement released on Wednesday.

Mr Kaba was fatally shot by a Met Police officer shortly before 10pm on September 5 after a high-speed police chase in Streatham Hill, London.

Police had tried to make "tactical contact" to stop his black Audi by blocking him in on a residential street.

Chris - also known as Madix - received treatment at the scene but died early the next morning after being rushed to hospital.

The rapper, who used the stage name Mad Itch, was due to become a father by the end of the year.

His death is now under investigation by the IOPC, with them having been at the scene overnight, and on Tuesday, to gather evidence.

Read more: Tragic rapper about to become a dad shot dead by armed police after pursuit in London

Police seen near Streatham Hill as man shot dead

A detailed search of the scene has been completed and "no non-police issue firearm has been recovered from the vehicle or the scene", the IOPC said.

"We understand at this stage that police officers in an armed response vehicle attempted to stop the vehicle Mr Kaba was in, following the activation of an automatic number plate recognition camera which indicated the vehicle was linked to a firearms incident in the previous days.

"As the investigation into that incident is ongoing by the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service), it would not be appropriate to provide further information.

"We can confirm that around 10pm, as armed officers attempted to stop and contain the vehicle, a single shot was discharged by a police officer.

"CPR was immediately administered by officers at the scene and support was quickly requested from the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance. Mr Kaba sadly died in hospital later that night."

It added: "A detailed forensic examination will be completed on the vehicle Mr Kaba was driving and on some of the police vehicles involved, which have been removed from the scene and taken to a secure location."

The initial family statement - shared via charity Inquest - read: "The family of Chris Kaba seek a homicide investigation into his death from the outset.

"We have today told the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) of that demand 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 that Chris was driving.

"We have not received this information even though the shooting happened almost two days’ ago.

"Finally, we are desperately appealing for any witnesses, whether before, during or after the pursuit and the shooting, to come forward to the IOPC and / or to our solicitors at Hickman and Rose. 

"We are devastated; we need answers and we need accountability.

"We are worried that if Chris had not been Black, he would have been arrested on Monday evening and not had his life cut short."

In response to the statement, Commander Alexis Boon, said: "I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the man who died and I recognise 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 as they carry out a thorough and independent investigation.

"I also recognise that the family and community want answers about what happened.

"I know the IOPC investigators are working hard to establish the facts but also need some time and space to be able to progress their enquiries.

"Myself, along with the local policing commander, have met with key partners and community members, and will continue to actively work together to engage with, and to reassure the public, at this difficult time."