The family of a man killed by police on Christmas Eve are seeking answers about his death, saying he was “unjustifiably taken away from all of us”.
Marcus Meade, 39, was shot by police in his Redditch home after a five-hour standoff with officers while in possession of a knife.
He was alone in the property, and it is understood his neighbours called the ambulance service, and paramedics then called the police, over concerns for Meade’s safety. It is believed he was suffering from a mental health crisis.
Meade’s mother, Deborah 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.”
His father, Anthony Meade, said: “Christmas is meant to be a time for loving, sharing and caring, and to hear of 13 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. I need to know why my baby boy is dead.”
His aunt, Selina Freckleton, said: “My nephew Marcus was sadly and unjustifiably taken away from all of us. We must get justice for Marcus.”
Meade, a father of two, was shot once in the chest and died at the scene at about 8pm on 24 December.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said West Mercia police had been called to the property at about 2pm over concerns for Meade’s welfare and tried to negotiate with him for several hours. He was “in possession of a knife”, they said.
At about 7.40pm, several officers forced entry to the house, used distraction devices to create loud bangs and flashes, and discharged at least one Taser, before the gun was fired.
Doorbell camera footage from a neighbouring property shows a police officer near to the scene while several loud bangs and distant shouting can be heard. Meade’s family said they first heard of his death through posts on social media and “through the grapevine”.
It has since emerged that Meade received an award for bravery two decades ago, after he apprehended the killer of a 16-year-old girl who was stabbed to death while sunbathing in Birmingham city centre in 2001.
Meade, along with two other passersby, helped to catch Inderjit Kainth after he stabbed teenager Rosie Ross in a random attack, and he went on to win a Birmingham Post and Mail Local Hero award in 2003.
His younger brother, Jahziah Meade, said he was “an incredible person” in a tribute on an online fundraiser to help cover his funeral costs.
“He was one of the kindest souls you could ever meet. His bravery and selflessness were unparalleled – he even apprehended Rose’s killer in Centenary Square, Birmingham, for which he was awarded a medal of bravery,” he said. “His absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives. He would have celebrated his 40th birthday next year and watched his two beautiful children grow.”
The IOPC 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.
“Our investigation will examine the police strategy and tactics throughout the overall incident and officers’ actions and decision-making including any risk assessments of the situation, and whether relevant policies and procedures were followed.”