The police officer responsible for shooting and killing upcoming London rapper Mad Itch has been charged with murder.
According to a report from The Sun on Wednesday (September 20), the officer — whose name has not yet been released for legal reasons — was charged after a probe by the police watchdog.
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Mad Itch (real name Chris Kaba) was expecting his first child when the unnamed officer shot him following a high-speed police chase in South West London on September 5, 2022. The 24-year-old was taken to the hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries hours later.
Mad Itch was part of a drill rap group named 67, who were nominated for Best Newcomer at the MOBO Awards in 2016.
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Following the announcement of the murder charge, Kaba’s family released a statement:
“Chris was so very loved by our family and all his friends,” they said. “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.”
They continued: “Now we await the trial of the firearms officer without delay and hope and pray that justice will be served.”
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The rapper’s mother, Elaine Kaba, added: “They’ve taken my heart. My son is gone, I’m heartbroken.”
His father Prosper issued his own statement, writing: “We’re devastated, we don’t know what to think, we can’t think straight right now. He was always joking around, he enjoyed life, he had lots of friends. He was looking forward to being a father, his girlfriend is still in shock.”
He continued: “He was looking forward to teaching his daughter how to talk and walking and all fatherly duties. He had wanted to be a father for a long time.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) Director Amanda Rowe said the Metropolitan Police officer would appear at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (September 21).
“Our thoughts remain with Mr Kaba’s family and everyone affected by this tragic incident,” Rowe said in a statement of her own. “It’s important now that criminal proceedings are able to run their course. We would reiterate the importance of not reporting, commenting or sharing information online which could in any way prejudice those proceedings.”
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Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap added: “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.”
She continued: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this case.”
