Social media posts have given an insight into the life of a young father who died after he was restrained by police. 

Father-of-one Rashan Charles died following a struggle with an officer in a shop in Hackney, east London, on July 22.

Members of the community have since rallied to pay tribute to the youngster - whose social media posts make reference to repeated attempts on his life, with his Instagram profile named, 'Hard to Kill'.

This comes amid violent clashes on the streets of London in recent days, as impassioned protesters seek justice for the 20-year-old's death. In 2013 he wrote: 'I've been shot at, I've been stabbed but I still aint leaving the block. Shout out to all my haters.'

In another he said, 'Respected by most and hated by many', and made reference to being held in youth custody.

Friends say Mr Charles was a good father to his baby daughter.​

Jada, Remiya's mother said her son was a 'caring and generous' father and a respected member of his local community. 

Harrowing CCTV footage has emerged which shows Mr Charles being chased amid claims that he was trying to 'swallow an object'. He ran into the store in Kingsland Road, London at 1.45am on July 22 after failing to stop for police. 

He can be seen wrestled to the floor as he appears to try to swallow an item. The policeman can be seen holding his hand briefly over the Mr Charles' mouth. 

Police and the IPCC said Mr Charles was pronounced dead at the Royal London Hospital but would not comment on whether he stopped breathing beforehand.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said the Independent Police Complaint's Commission was now investigating. 

A spokesman for the Charles family accused police officers of 'killing youths on the streets' and forcing them into gangs, during an impassioned speech at a vigil in the 20-year-old's memory last weekend. 

However protests followed as mobs of furious demonstrators set wheelie bins and mattresses on fire and attacked vehicles.