Police watchdog launches homicide investigation into rapper Chris Kaba’s death

The Independent Office For Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched a homicide investigation into the police shooting of Chris Kaba — also known as Mad Itch from London drill group 67.

The Independent Office For Police Conduct (IOPC) said in a statement released on Friday (September 9) night that its ongoing investigation into the incident is now entering a “new phase”, which the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan called “a significant development.”

As Evening Standard reports, the statement released by the IOPC said: “Following our review of the evidence gathered so far, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched a homicide investigation into Mr Kaba’s death.”

24-year-old rapper Chris Kaba was shot dead by a Met Police Officer at around 10:PM on September 5 in Streatham, South London.

Two police cars followed Kaba down the residential street Kirkstall Gardens before one round was fired from a police weapon.

The IOPC said that Kaba died after a single shot, fired through the driver’s side of the windscreen of the car by a Met Police Officer from a specialist firearms command.

The shooting happened while the police were trying to “stop and contain” the vehicle that Kaba was driving, which the IOPC say was not registered under Kaba’s name.

“Our investigation team is continuing to gather and review a large amount of evidence, however as this is now a criminal investigation, we are limited in what further information we can provide,” the statement from the IOPC read.

“The launch of a criminal investigation does not mean that criminal charges will necessarily follow.

“We have notified Mr Kaba’s family of this latest development. We continue to ask that people avoid speculating about this incident out of respect for Mr Kaba’s family and for everyone else affected.”

Kaba’s family have called for the immediate suspension of the Met Officer who was involved in the fatal shooting, as they joined protestors who took to the streets of London on Saturday (September 10) to demand “justice for Chris Kaba”.

His family have requested that the homicide investigation is concluded within “weeks to months, not years”.

Kaba — who was previously nominated for a MOBO award as Mad Itch — was also due to become a father.

Aneesa Ahmed is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter