Police shoot dead drill rapper cornered in high-speed car chase

A RAPPER who was due to become a father has been shot dead by police following a high-speed car chase in south London.

Chris Kaba, 24, died when armed officers rammed his car before opening fire in a quiet street in Streatham Hill. Residents described how police used their cars to box in the Audi Q8 while shouting at the driver to get out.

Some witnesses claimed the musician, known as Madix or Mad Itch 67, attempted to ram his way out of the roadblock resulting in officers opening fire at about 21.50pm on Monday.

Scotland Yard said the victim was given first aid at the scene and airlifted to hospital but died a short time later. The incident was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which is standard procedure.

The expectant father, who was due to be married in January, was understood to be a member of a drill rap collective known as 67, who were nominated as best newcomer in the 2016 Music of Black Origin awards. Drill rap music has been criticised by police for stoking violence, with rival gangs often goading each other in lyrics posted online.

Formed in the Brixton and Herne Hill areas of south London, members of the 67 group were linked to a county lines drug dealing operation in 2019 with 16 members jailed for a total of 61 years.

Mr Kaba was also jailed in 2019 after being convicted of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Family members yesterday insisted he was devoted to his fiancée and was looking forward to becoming a father.

Kim Alleyne, 49, his partner’s mother said: “He was a good guy, he was loved. He was a father-to-be. He was extremely kind, he was brave and strong.”

His death follows the murders of two drill rappers in recent days with Takayo Nembhard, 21, stabbed at the Notting Hill Carnival and Maximillian Kusiowusu, 29, shot in West Kensington.

The IOPC said that a single round was fired by armed officers who shot a man dead following a police chase.

It said it had footage from vehicles, a helicopter and body-worn cameras for its inquiries, which are ongoing.