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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Ella Bennett & Lucy Williamson & Ryan Merrifield

Streatham shooting: Fiancée's mum demands to know why police shot 'super kind' man

The young black man shot dead by police following a car case in south London has been described as "super kind" by his fiancée's mum who has demanded answers.

Drill artist Chris Kaba was due to become a dad for the first time in November and marry his partner early next year when he was killed on Monday night.

The Met Police said a man in his 20s was fired upon by armed officers after a car was stopped using "tactical contact" at 9.51pm in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hilll.

Chris's fiancée Karimah Waite has been at the scene today along with other friends and loved ones, but is said to be too devastated to speak, reports MyLondon.

Her mum Kimberly Alleyne, 49, has demanded to know why he was shot.

She said: “He was just super kind, I want everyone to know that.

Have you been affected by this incident? Let us know at webnews@mirror.co.uk

Forensics officers at the scene in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill, south London (PA)

"He was gentle, he was extremely funny. But the point is we shouldn’t have to justify that he was perfect. At the end of the day, he was a human that was shot.

"Look how many people have turned up here, his friends, have you ever seen so many grown men cry like this before? I’ve never woken up quicker in my life than today.”

Fighting back tears, Kimberley said she learnt of Chris' death through social media.

She added: "He must have been petrified. They didn't even give him a chance to use his human rights."

Chris Kaba is shot dead by police following a car chase in Streatham (MyLondon)

Prosper Kaba, Chris' father, was comforted as he cried at the scene slumped against a wall.

Chris is understood to have been 23 and, as part of drill group 67, is best known for their track "Lets Lurk".

They are widely regarded in the UK drill scene after being nominated for Best Newcomer at the MOBO Awards in 2016.

Referring to Chris's many loved ones who have turned up at the scene, Kimberley continued: "Everybody's in pieces. I've never seen so many boys crying in my life.

"He was so loved, he was so funny, he was super kind, it's crazy he was always happy. He'd do anything for you."

An aerial view of police at the scene in Kirkstall Gardens (UkNewsinPictures)

She explained that he was studying to become an architect and spoke of the heartbreaking prospect that he will now never get to meet his child.

An unnamed friend who was crying as he spoke at the scene said: “There’s a bullet hole in the windscreen, he wasn’t given a chance."

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is yet to provide information on whether the man killed was armed.

However, the friend of Chris claimed: "He was unarmed. He was soon to be a father for the first time. This is awful, we’re all in huge shock.”

The car Chris was travelling in was stopped by armed police on Monday night (UkNewsinPictures)

Another friend said: "This is crazy, I saw [Chris] just on Sunday when we watched the Manchester United game together. Now he's not here.

"I know him from football. This is mad."

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Specialist firearms officers were in pursuit of a suspect vehicle in the Lambeth area. The vehicle was stopped following tactical contact in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill.

"A police firearm was discharged.

Chris was part of drill group 67 (UkNewsinPictures)

"An occupant of the suspect vehicle - a man believed to be aged in his 20s - sustained a gunshot injury.

"London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance were requested. Officers administered first aid prior to their arrival and the man was taken to hospital, where he died."

As is protocol, the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards were contacted and they notified the IOPC, who have launched an independent investigation.

An IOPC spokesperson said: "At this early stage it is believed a man was fatally shot during the police response to reports of a suspect vehicle.

"We were notified by the MPS of the incident shortly after 11pm and we declared an independent investigation shortly before midnight.

"IOPC investigators were sent to the scene and the post incident procedures to start gathering evidence.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with all of those affected by this terrible incident.

"Our investigation remains in the very early stages."

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