Hero Brit dad shot useless by police in own residence on Christmas Eve after stand-off
The mother of a hero dad who was shot dead in his own home in Redditch, Worcestershire, on Christmas Eve during a police stand-off has begged for answers over her son’s death
The heartbroken parents of a man shot dead by cops in his own home after a Christmas Eve stand-off have demanded the full story. Anthony Meade and Deborah Clarke are on a quest for truth and justice over the death of their son Marcus Meade, 39, who was gunned down in Redditch, Worcestershire.
The police rushed to reports of Marcus having a mental health crisis, but despite five hours of talking with negotiators, he ended up Tasered and shot while alone in his home, as confirmed by police. Deborah shared her anguish: “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 distraught parents found out about their lad’s demise through social media whispers and now they’re pressing West Mercia Police for the full story, with the case already in the hands of the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Anthony 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.”
Birmingham’s very own hero Marcus sadly leaves behind two children. He was honoured back in 2003 for his gallant deed of capturing the murderer of a teen girl, reports the Mirror.
Alongside other courageous citizens, he was awarded for his bravery after snatching up Inderjit Kainth, who had fatally knifed 16-year-old Rosie Ross in an unprovoked assault. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been meticulously analysing police body-cam footage following Mr Meade’s tragic passing.
The officers were summoned by paramedics who found Marcus grappling with his mental health woes.
Selina Freckleton, the man’s distraught aunt, voiced her sorrow: “My nephew Marcus was sadly and unjustifiably taken away from all of us. We must get justice for Marcus.”
His uncle Mark added: “We have been left now suffering forever.”
After Marcus’s death at his Redditch home, family members faced the harrowing task of identifying him at the mortuary. Now, those in Marcus’s Winyates West community, together with his grieving family, are pressing West Mercia Police for an immediate, candid and full inquiry into the circumstances.
The police force has confirmed their full cooperation in the ongoing investigation after self-referring to the watchdog on December 24, ensuring that they’ve been “following all appropriate procedures”. Assistant Chief Constable Grant Wills emphasised at the time: “We do not underestimate the shock and concern this may cause the local community and I want to reassure residents that we are following all appropriate procedures, this included making an immediate referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as is mandatory and right. We will support their investigation, which will include providing all information we hold, including body-worn camera footage.”
Meanwhile, IOPC Regional Director Derrick Campbell said: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Mr Meade’s family, and everyone affected by his death. 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.
“We are meeting with Mr Meade’s family to again offer our sincere condolences and to outline how our investigation will progress. We will provide them with regular updates as our enquiries continue.
“We have established that while police used distraction techniques causing several bangs and flashes on entering the property, there was one shot fired by an armed officer. We will continue to carefully review the considerable volume of police body-worn footage we have collated.
“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.”
