Chris Kaba murder charge cop has name kept secret by courts and is bailed before next hearing

A MET police firearms officer has appeared in court charged with murder in relation to the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba in September 2022.

The officer, whose identity has been protected by the court, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on the morning of Thursday, September 21 2023, followed by an appearance at the Old Bailey the same afternoon.

The officer was released on bail to appear at the Old Bailey on December 1 for a pre-trial preparation hearing. A provisional trial date has been set for September 2024.

An application for anonymity was made by the officer’s legal representatives. The court granted an interim anonymity order and the officer cannot be identified at this stage, only being referred to as NX121.

The officer remains suspended from duty. Misconduct matters will be considered at the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge of murder for the officer 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.

“The 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.”

Mr Kaba was shot dead by one shot in the head through the windscreen of a car he was in at Streatham Hill on September 5 2022 following a brief pursuit by an unmarked police vehicle with no lights or sirens on.

It later emerged that the Audi the 24-year-old was driving, which did not belong to him, had been linked by police to a gun incident the previous day.