The Crown Prosecution Service has accused a police officer who shot an unarmed black man in south London last year with murder.
Chris Kaba, 24, died on September 5, 2022, after being shot by a Met firearms officer in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill, London, shortly after 10 p.m.
An inquest heard that he was trailed by an unmarked police car with no lights or sirens turned on in the minutes before the shooting.
Following the killing, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched a murder investigation.
Today, more than a year on from the incident, the CPS announced it had authorised a murder charge to be issued against a police officer.
Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: ‘Following a thorough review of the evidence provided by the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct), the CPS has authorised a charge of murder against a Metropolitan Police officer following the death of Chris Kaba.
‘Mr Kaba died on 6 September 2022 after he was struck by a single bullet in Streatham Hill, south London.
The CPS reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the officer are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
‘It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
In October, an inquest at Inner South London Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Kaba was being followed by an unmarked police car with no lights or sirens switched on in the minutes before the shooting.
The court heard that as his Audi drove down Kirkstall Gardens, he was stopped by a marked police vehicle, and there was ‘contact’ between the two cars before a marksman fired a single shot through the windscreen, striking Mr Kaba in the head.
Police had linked the vehicle to a firearms incident the day before. An inquiry in October heard that Mr Kaba was unarmed and not being treated as a suspect at the time.
Mr Kaba’s heartbroken family have been demanding action and claimed the officer alleged to have shot their son must face criminal charges.
Speaking earlier this month, Mr Kaba’s mother Helen told the BBC: ‘We need a decision.’ Chris’s father, Prosper added: ‘Not in one week, not in one month, we need it as soon as possible.