Family members of a rapper shot dead by a police marksman looked on as an officer appeared in court charged with murder.
Chris Kaba, who the Independent Office for Police Conduct has reported is from Wembley, died in Streatham Hill, south east London, on September 6 last year.
The 24-year-old was killed when he was shot once in the head through the windscreen of the Audi he was driving.
The Metropolitan Police officer, identified only as NX121, was led into the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, a several of Mr Kaba’s loved ones watched from the public gallery.
One woman left the courtroom in tears as prosecutor Tom Little KC outlined how the case should proceed.
The officer’s barrister, Patrick Hill, was asked to confirm the defendant’s identity in court. The officer did not speak.
The court heard that in the moments before the shooting, Mr Kaba had driven into Kirkstall Gardens and collided with a marked police car.
The officer fired one shot and hit Mr Kaba in the head.
They have not been named publicly after an application for anonymity was granted in court.
NX121 was remanded into custody to appear at the Old Bailey this afternoon.
The Metropolitan Police had announced yesterday that the Crown Prosecution Service had authorised a charge of murder for a Met firearms officer in relation to the fatal shooting.
The charging decision was made by the CPS following a referral from the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap said: “We have fully supported the IOPC investigation as it has worked to establish the facts.
“Today’s announcement is a significant and serious development. We must now allow the court process to run its course so it would not be appropriate for me to say more at this stage.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this case.”
The officer remains suspended from duty. Misconduct matters will be considered at the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.
Some reporting by PA.
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