Family's desperate plea as hero dad shot dead by armed police after stand-off
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The grief-stricken family of a dad shot dead by armed police in his own home following a stand-off on Christmas Eve have today begged for answers. Anthony Meade and Deborah Clarke are desperate for justice for their son Marcus Meade, 39, who died at the property in Redditch, Worcestershire. Officers were called to reports of the man experiencing mental health challenges but, after police negiotators spent five hours in the stand-off, Marcus was Tasered and shot. He was alone in his home at the time, police have confirmed.
Deborah 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.". Deborah and Anthony say they discovered their son had died after reading reports on social media and hearing the awful news on the grapevine. Now, they want answers from West Mercia Police, who reported the incident to the 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.".
Marcus, who leaves behind two children, was hailed a hero after he had apprehended a teenage girl's killer in Birmingham city centre. The family man, along with other have-a-go heroes, was recognised for his bravery with an award in 2003 after he swooped to snag Inderjit Kainth. Kainth had stabbed Rosie Ross, 16, in a random attack.
