"We want justice": family of Redditch man fatally shot on Christmas Eve demanding answers over his death
39-year-old Marcus Meade was pronounced dead at an address in Fownhope Close at around 8pm on 24 December
The parents of a man killed on Christmas Eve in a fatal police shooting in Redditch say they "want justice" for their son.
39-year-old Marcus Meade, originally from Birmingham, was pronounced dead at an address in Fownhope Close at around 8pm on 24 December.
Officers say they had been called to the property at around 2pm that day, following concerns for the welfare of a man.
A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) previously said police attempted to negotiate with father-of-two Marcus Meade, who was in possession of a knife, for several hours.
They established that at around 7.40pm, several officers forced entry to the property using distraction devices which generated several loud bangs and flashes.
A single shot was then fired, hitting Marcus, with officers carrying out immediate first aid, but he died at the scene a short time later.
Marcus's dad Anthony Meade says it's had a real impact on their family, and they want answers into what happened.
"He's not coming back, ever again," he said.
"Marcus was like any normal kid, a good heart, mischievous, he used to come and help me many times, he was just a good lad.
"We want answers, we want justice."
Deborah Clarke, Marcus's mum, has also been sharing her memories as to what her son was like, saying he was her "right-hand man."
"Wherever I would be, he would be there," she said.
"For something like this to happen it's a big shock to the system, I can't sleep full stop, I wake up and can't go back to sleep, everything is just upside down.
She added: "We want justice for our son."
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) say their investigation into the shooting is continuing, with investigators attending the property on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to oversee forensic examinations and secure evidence.
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.
In a statement released earlier this month, the IOPC said they had collected 'many hours' of police body-worn video footage which they had begun to review, and had carried out enquiries at Fownhope Close.
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."
A candlelight vigil is set to be held this evening (21 January) in memory of Marcus at Fownhope Close in Winyates from 6pm until 7pm, four weeks on from his death.