Demand for answers as 8 men died after contact with police in 2022

2023-01-08

‘This painful death must be the last’: Faces of men who died following contact with police in 2022 as families demand answers

Grieving families of those killed after police contact in 2022 demand answers
The mother of Chris Kaba said: ‘I wish this painful death must be the last’
Mr Kaba, 24, died in September after being shot in the head by police in London
Marius Ciolac, 35, was shot dead outside a police station in Derby in October
Oladeji Omishore fell to his death from Chelsea Bridge after being Tasered

These are the faces of people who died following contact with police or while in police custody in 2022 – as grieving families demand answers.

Thousands of people marched through London at the end of October, accompanying bereaved families whose loved ones have died in police custody, to demand an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister and London Mayor.

In an emotional speech outside Downing Street, Helen Nkama, the mother of 24-year-old Chris Kaba who died after being shot by police in south London in September said: ‘I wish this painful death must be the last – it must be the last.’

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the following deaths which occurred last year.

Marius Ciolac – shot dead by police after smashing up a police station

Romanian builder Marius Ciolac, 35, was shot dead outside the Ascot Drive police station in Derby after wielding a ‘samurai-like sword’ on October 7, 2022.

Mr Ciolac, who lived yards away from the newly built £9.5million station, stormed into the police car park just before 10am and also went on to smash the windows of the police station.

Officers tried to stop Mr Ciolac by using a stun grenade, baton round and Taser before an armed officer shot him in the stomach. He was airlifted to hospital but later died.

Initial findings of a post mortem revealed Mr Ciolac died from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Marius Ciolac (pictured), 35, was gunned down last Friday October 7 after smashing the windows of parked vehicles in the car park of Ascot Drive police station in Derby.

Derbyshire Police officers in an armed response vehicle were called to the building by the force at around 9.55am after officers inside reported seeing a man with a knife in the car park causing damage to property

‘We are committed to carrying out a full and thorough investigation of all the circumstances. While there is still a lot of work to do, we have gathered initial accounts from the officers involved and other witnesses from the emergency services. CCTV footage has been reviewed and we are gathering a large amount of police body worn video,’ the IOPC said.

‘We are also in the process of contacting members of the public identified as potential witnesses who may be able to assist our inquiries.’

All police officers are being treated as witnesses at this stage.

HM Coroner has been informed and an inquest will open in due course.

Chris Kaba – shot in the head by a Met Police officer

Chris Kaba, 24, was fatally shot in the head by an armed officer in Streatham Hill, south London, on September 5, 2022.

Mr Kaba was being followed by an unmarked police car with no lights or sirens turned on in the minutes before the shooting, Inner South London Coroner’s Court was told in October.

After his Audi drove down Kirkstall Gardens he was blocked by a marked police vehicle and there was ‘contact’ between the two cars, the court heard, before a marksman fired a single shot through the windscreen, hitting the Mr Kaba in the head.

A statement by the Met Police released on September 6, the day after Mr Kaba died, said: ‘At 21:51hrs on Monday, 5 September specialist firearms officers were in pursuit of a suspect vehicle in the Lambeth area.’

But an inquest in October heard that Mr Kaba, who died in Streatham Hill, south London, was being followed by an unmarked police car with no lights or sirens turned on in the minutes before the shooting.

A Met Police spokesman then told MailOnline: ‘Our initial statements said firearms officers were in pursuit of a suspect vehicle.

‘This was based on information available in the very early stages of the incident.’

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation looking into the full circumstances surrounding Mr Kaba’s death continues.

Chris Kaba was fatally shot in the head by an armed officer in Streatham Hill, south London, on September 5, 2022

Outside Downing Street, Helen Nkama (pictured, right, with Mr Kaba’s father, Prosper, left)

In an emotional speech outside Downing Street, Helen Nkama, the mother of 24-year-old Mr Kaba, asked police whether the young rapper asked for her in his last moments.

‘I want them to ask me, to tell me, how was Chris the last day?

‘How did Chris feel? What was the last words of Chris? Did he ask for me? Did he call for me? What did Chris say?

‘I wish this painful death must be the last – it must be the last.’

The latest statement by the IOPC on October 4 says substantial progress has been made in the investigation to date.

‘IOPC investigators attended the scene of the incident in the hours after it occurred and an independent investigation was declared as soon as the IOPC was informed.

‘Two post incident processes have taken place, during which the key police witnesses have provided their S9 statements.

‘The officer who discharged their firearm – NX121 – has been notified they are under criminal investigation for the offence of the murder of Mr Kaba.

‘The terms of reference for the case have been drafted and a 6 – 9 month timeframe has been set to complete the investigation.’

Liam Allan – died after entering River Thames while being arrested

Liam Allan died after entering the River Thames while being arrested by police on August 26, 2022.

The 23-year-old labourer went into the water by Bill’s restaurant on Riverside Walk in Kingston, south-west London, at just after 10.30pm on Friday.

His body was pulled from the water two hours later and he was declared dead after an attempt at CPR.

A police statement at the time said: ‘At around 22:30hrs on Friday, 26 August, police on routine patrol were flagged down on Kingston Bridge to a verbal altercation involving a man and a woman who were known to each other.

‘An allegation of theft was made. Officers were in the process of arresting the man, believed to be aged in his 20s, when he entered the water. He had not been placed in handcuffs.

‘A multi-agency response to locate the man was launched, involving the Met’s Marine Policing Unit, National Police Air Service, London Fire Brigade and the RNLI.

‘The man was recovered from the water at around 00:30hrs and treated by paramedics. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead. The man’s family have been informed.

‘Police cordons remains in place and enquiries are ongoing. The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards have made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.’

Liam Allan, the 23-year-old labourer who drowned in the Thames in August, 2022

Body-worn camera footage is under review and police say he had not been handcuffed

The most recent statement by the IOPC was issued on September 2. Regional Director Sal Naseem said the IOPC’s sympathies are with those who knew Mr Allan.

‘I want to express our condolences to Liam Allan’s family and friends and all those affected by his death.

‘We are aware of speculation surrounding how Liam came to enter the water. Having viewed the relevant police body worn video, we have advised his family and can confirm that Liam ran down some steps from Riverside Walk into the water and began swimming away into the river immediately after being advised he was being arrested. Emergency assistance from the Coastguard, National Police Air Service (NPAS) and the London Fire Brigade was quickly requested by one of the officers.

‘However, we need to establish all of the contact the police had with Liam on that evening. We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen police officers speaking with a male, or a small group of people, on or near the vicinity of Kingston Bridge between 10.30pm and 11.15pm on Friday 26 August.

‘Given the contact police officers had with Liam before he died, it is important that a thorough and independent investigation is carried out to establish the full circumstances and examine the interaction between Liam and any officer before he entered the river.’

Oladeji Omishore died after jumping in the River Thames while being Tasered by police

Oladeji Omishore fell to his death from Chelsea Bridge after being Tasered by police on June 6, 2022.

Mr Omishore, known to his family as Deji, fell into the Thames following use of a Taser by a Met police officer on Chelsea Bridge. He was thought to be experiencing a mental health crisis and was holding a plastic cigarette lighter.

The IOPC are currently conducting an investigation into his death but do not consider that a more thorough conduct investigation – which could lead to disciplinary action against officers involved – or a criminal investigation -which could lead to criminal charges – is required.

The family are threatening legal action against the police watchdog. They are trying to raise £10,000 to fund a judicial review claim against the IPOC.

In a joint statement, the family said: ‘Deji was only a few moments’ walk from his home and appears to have been vulnerable and frightened.

‘The two Metropolitan police officers who confronted him used repeated force on him which we consider was excessive and unjustified.

‘We want those officers to explain why they did not use their training to de-escalate the situation, and safeguard Deji, instead of taking the actions that led to his tragic death.

‘We wish to pursue a judicial review claim against the IOPC for their continuing decision to treat the two officers as witnesses to the investigation and not subjects of the investigation, and not to classify the investigation as a conduct or criminal investigation.’

A statement from the IOPC on June 21 said: ‘We have confirmed Mr Omishore was holding a plastic and metal firelighter when he was approached by two officers on Chelsea Bridge. The initial report to police stated he had a screwdriver.

‘A Taser was discharged by one of the officers prior to the man entering the river. It has been confirmed the Taser was discharged more than once.’

The family of Oladeji Omishore (pictured), who fell to his death from Chelsea Bridge after being Tasered by police are threatening legal action against the police watchdog

Mr Omishore, known to his family as Deji, fell into the Thames following use of a Taser by a Met police officer in June

Man, 31, who appeared to be ‘in distress’ died after he was allegedly sprayed and restrained by Hertfordshire Police

A 31-year-old man who appeared to be ‘in distress’ died on October 7 after he was allegedly sprayed and restrained by Hertfordshire Police officers in Waltham Cross, Broxbourne.

The death of the man, whose identity has not been confirmed, sparked the police watchdog to launch an investigation.

The IOPC said in October they understood that officers tried to restrain the man by using pava spray – an incapacitant spray similar to pepper spray.

Officers from Hertfordshire Police rushed to Eleanor Cross Road in Waltham Cross, Broxbourne, just before 11pm after hearing reports of a distressed man running around the street.

The police watchdog was told by officers that the man appeared to be having a mental health crisis, prompting an ambulance to be sent out.

The man’s breathing became laboured, forcing officers to carry out CPR until paramedics arrived just before midnight.

However, the man was pronounced dead at 12.17am, sparking an investigation into what happened.

IOPC regional director Graham Beesley said at the time: ‘Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends, and all those affected by this tragic incident.

‘Our investigators have begun reviewing body-worn video footage obtained from all officers who attended the incident and will be undertaking door-to-door enquiries in the area.

‘Our investigation is in its infancy and it’s important that a thorough independent investigation is carried out to ensure we understand the full circumstances.’

A post-mortem examination was held on Tuesday October 18, and further tests have been requested. A date for an initial inquest hearing has yet to be set.

Man, 60, died after becoming unwell while being taken to a police station

A 60-year-old man died in the Ipswich area on 31 March 2022 after being arrested by police.

The latest statement from the IOPC on December 22 said: ‘Our investigation has concluded into the death of a man, aged 60, who died while in police custody in March 2022. He had been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

‘While being taken to the police station, the man became unwell and officers diverted and took him straight to Ipswich hospital where he sadly died.

‘Our investigation report was finalised in November and will be made available to assist HM Coroner with the inquest.

‘We found no evidence to suggest that any officer from Suffolk Constabulary caused or contributed to the man’s death and there was no indication any officer had behaved in a manner that would justify bringing disciplinary proceedings or had committed a criminal offence.’

Man, 27, detained by Hertfordshire Police dies after becoming unwell

A 27-year-old man died on February 10 last year following contact with police in Hertfordshire.

The IOPC said in February: ‘We can confirm that we have started an independent investigation into the contact Hertfordshire Constabulary officers had with a man prior to his death in Hemel Hempstead on Thursday 10 February.

‘We have established that after police detained a man in a car at around 10pm he became unwell and an ambulance was called.

‘Sadly, the man, who was 27, died at the scene. After we were notified by the force, we sent investigators to the scene and post incident procedure to begin gathering information.

‘Our investigation is at an early stage, but initial accounts have been provided by officers and we are gathering police body worn video and CCTV footage.

‘We have made contact with the man’s family to explain our role and we will be keeping them regularly updated as our enquiries progress.’

Gareth Roper – died on New Year’s Day after contact with GMP

Gareth Roper died on 1 January 2022 following contact with four Greater Manchester Police officers.

An IOPC statement from February, the last to be issued, said: ‘We are currently independently investigating four Greater Manchester Police officers who had contact with Gareth Roper in the hours before his death in Bamfurlong, Wigan, on 1 January.

‘This will look at the actions and decision-making of officers when Mr Roper was arrested and subsequently de-arrested, including any considerations for his welfare.

‘We are also looking into an allegation that Mr Roper was assaulted while in custody.

‘We will be reviewing evidence including police body-worn video and CCTV footage, as well as radio transmissions, as part of our inquiries.

‘Our thoughts remain with Mr Roper’s loved ones and all those affected by his death.’

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