Family of man killed by police in Redditch seeking ‘answers and justice’
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Marcus Meade, 39, was shot in his home after five-hour standoff with officers while in possession of knife. 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.
