THE Metropolitan Police officer who shot dead Chris Kaba in south London over a week ago has finally been suspended following public pressure, the force has confirmed. 

Mr Kaba, 24, a rapper and soon to be father, died after a police chase ended in a residential street in Streatham Hill, south London, on the evening of September 5. 
 
Firearms officers stopped the 24-year-old after his car was flagged by a number plate recognition camera. A single shot was fired. 

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has opened a homicide investigation into the death, did not find a gun in the Audi Mr Kaba had been driving. 

On Monday, the police watchdog confirmed that the officer who fired the fatal shot had been suspended from duty. 

Met Assistant Commissioner Amanda Pearson said: “This decision has been reached following careful consideration of a number of factors, including the significant impact on public confidence, and in light of the IOPC announcing a homicide investigation.”

It comes after the family issued calls for the immediate suspension of the officer involved last week, calls echoed by supporters and Labour MPs Diane Abbott and Bell Ribeiro-Addy. 

Responding to the suspension, Ms Ribeiro-Addy, who is the local MP for Streatham where Mr Kaba was killed, said on social media: “It shouldn’t have taken public pressure to make this happen. Time to honour the family’s further demands without delay.”

News of the suspension came as Mr Kaba’s friends and family gathered for a candle-lit vigil on Monday evening at the scene where he was shot by police one week ago.