​Met Police officer who shot drill rapper Chris Kaba charged with murder

A Metropolitan Police officer who shot and killed drill rapper Chris Kaba in London last year has been charged with murder.

The unnamed officer, only currently known as NX121, is set to appear before Westminster Magistrates Court today (September 21), after The Crown Prosecution Service announced the charge yesterday.

24-year-old Chris Kaba, also known as Mad Itch from London drill group 67, was shot dead by NX121 at around 10:PM on September 5, 2022, in South London’s Streatham Hill. He was pronounced dead in the early hours the following day.

Kaba was driving in a dark Audi car on the night and was followed by two police officers down the residential street Kirkstall Gardens before being boxed in. One round was then fired from a police weapon.

The watchdog found that police had tried to stop him after the activation of an automatic number plate recognition camera (ANPR), believing that the car he was driving was linked to a firearms incident days before. A follow-up inquest found that Kaba was not a suspect.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct said in March that it had referred a file of evidence to the CPS following a homicide investigation.

“Following a thorough review of the evidence provided by the IOPC, the CPS has authorised a charge of murder against a Metropolitan police officer following the death of Chris Kaba,” said Rosemary Ainslie, the head of the CPS special crime division.

“The CPS reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the officer are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”

The family of Chris Kaba spoke about the late rapper in a statement following NX121’s murder charge. “Chris was so very loved by our family and all his friends,” it reads.

“He had a bright future ahead of him, but his life was cut short. Our family and our wider community must see justice for Chris. We welcome this charging decision, which could not have come too soon. Now we await the trial of the firearms officer without delay and hope and pray that justice will be served.”

Gemma Ross is Mixmag’s Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter