The father of a man shot dead by police on Christmas Eve has said his family will struggle to celebrate the festive season again as he demanded justice for his son.
Marcus Meade, 39, was hit in the chest by a single bullet fired by a West Mercia Police firearms officer hours after they had been called to an address in Redditch, Worcestershire, to reports of a concern for welfare on December 24.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the incident in Fownhope Close which left Mr Meade, a father-of-two originally from Birmingham, dead.
Marcus Meade was a father-of-two who was originally from Birmingham (Family handout/Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo/PA)
In a statement released through community activist Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo, Mr Meade’s parents Anthony Meade and Deborah Clarke said they want answers about what happened to their son, who was reportedly alone inside the property and suffering a mental health episode when he was shot.
Ms Clarke said: “I want to know what happened to my son, I want to know why they thought it was OK to do what they did to my son. I want answers and I want justice for my son.”
The IOPC said West Mercia Police officers had been called to the property at around 2pm and attempted to negotiate with Mr Meade, who was in possession of a knife, for “several hours”.
At around 7.40pm, several officers forced entry to the property using distraction devices which generate loud bangs and flashes and at least one Taser was discharged before Mr Meade was shot in the chest.
Despite attempts to administer first aid, Mr Meade died at the scene.
Anthony Meade said he needs to know “why my baby boy is dead”.
He said: “Christmas is meant to be a time for loving, sharing and caring and to hear of tactical explosions, a Taser and a bullet being delivered into my son’s chest makes it difficult for us as a family to celebrate Christmas ever again.”
Dr Jaddoo said Mr Meade’s family and the community are calling for a “timely, open and transparent investigation into why Marcus is no longer with us”.
The IOPC said they have collated a “considerable volume” of police body-worn video footage, are carrying out local inquiries and are in the process of gathering detailed accounts from relevant officers.
Regional director Derrick Campbell said: “We are working hard to piece together all the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and we want to reassure the community that our investigation, which is still in its early stages, will be thorough and guided by the evidence we find.”
After referring themselves to the IOPC, West Mercia Police said the force would not be able to comment further, but said in a statement released on Christmas Day that they were supporting the investigation.
A fundraising page set up by one of Mr Meade’s siblings has so far raised nearly £7,000 towards the cost of his funeral and a headstone.