Chris Kaba: Funeral held for man shot by Met Police officer

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Chris Kaba's coffin with a floral tribute saying "son" next to a framed photograph of him
Image caption,

The police watchdog is investigating Mr Kaba's death

Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral for a man who was shot dead by armed police in south London.

Father-to-be Chris Kaba, 24, was unarmed when he was shot through a car windscreen in Streatham Hill on 5 September.

The Met Police officer who fired the fatal shot has been suspended and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating.

An inquest into Mr Kaba's death has been opened and adjourned.

His cousin, Jefferson Bosela, told about 1,000 people at the funeral in Croydon "Today, we lay our son to rest", adding: "justice for Chris will prevail".

Image caption,

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral for Chris Kaba in Croydon

Image caption,

The coffin of the 24-year-old construction worker was transported on a horse-drawn carriage

Mr Kaba's family has accused the Met of racism and have said it took too long for the force to suspend the police marksman. They have called for criminal charges to be brought.

The IOPC is investigating the shooting as a potential homicide and said its inquiry was set to last between six and nine months, something Mr Kaba's family said they were "alarmed" at.

Last month, the inquest hearing at Inner South London Coroner's Court was told construction worker Mr Kaba was driving an Audi that had been linked by police to a firearms incident the previous day, although his name was not included in the briefing given to officers.

An automatic number plate recognition marker had been placed on it.

At 21:52 BST, about 15 minutes before the shooting, a pursuit began by officers in an unmarked police car with no lights or sirens.

Image source, Family handout
Image caption,

Chris Kaba was due to become a father when he died

After driving the Audi down Kirkstall Gardens, Mr Kaba was blocked by a marked police car and there was contact between the Audi and police vehicles, the court heard.

An officer standing to the front of the Audi then fired a single shot through the windscreen, which hit Mr Kaba in the head.

He was taken to hospital, but died soon after midnight on 6 September.

A provisional cause of death has been given as a "gunshot wound to the head".