A vigil has been held for a father-of-two killed by police on Christmas Eve as his family question why police opened fire and say racism could be a factor.
Marcus Meade, 39, was killed after a five-hour stand off with West Mercia police officers at a property in Redditch, Worcestershire.
He had a knife, but his family say he was alone at the time and wasn’t a danger.
Well over 100 people were at Tuesday evening’s vigil, held outside the flat where he was shot.
Candles spelling out his name were lit and flowers laid as his parents spoke movingly of their love for their son and their shock at his death.
“This is the kind of stuff that you hear about in America. This is not the kind of stuff we have in Birmingham,” his father Anthony told Sky News.
“The only person Marcus would hurt is himself. He wouldn’t hurt anybody else – never,” added his mother Deborah Clarke.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating.
In a statement, it said: “Officers forced entry to the property using distraction devices. Each device generates several loud bangs and flashes.
“At least one Taser was then discharged, and a firearms officer fired a single shot which hit Mr Meade in the chest.”
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said it would “not be appropriate for us to comment further while this [IOPC] investigation is ongoing. However, we will do so when we are able”.
Mr Meade died at the scene – and his father questions why police acted as they did.
“You’re going to send an armed police officer to a scene with a mental person, and they feel it’s necessary to put a gun on this person when there’s how many other options that they could have to chosen to disarm a person?” said Anthony Meade.
Mr Meade’s parents said he had suffered mental health problems since he was young and was known to police because he would often “cry out for help”.
“I’m not sure why this time they decided to send police with guns,” said Mr Meade.
The family have questioned whether racism was a factor in their son’s killing, and whether the fact it was Christmas Eve played a role.
“They wanted it sorted there and then so they could go home and enjoy the rest of the evening,” said Ms Clarke.
Mr Meade’s family said his brother was at the scene and wasn’t allowed to help with negotiations. They believe he could have been calmed down by a relative.
‘A living nightmare’
The family are demanding answers and want to see the police bodycam footage of the shooting.
“We want to know every single aspect of what’s gone on. What made them choose that decision to go in and kill our son like that? Every camera, we want to see all the footage,” said Mr Meade.
Read more from Sky News:
Southport attacker had ‘kill list’
Storm Eowyn to bring strong winds to UK
The family said the wait for answers while the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigates is “agonising”.
“He was beautiful,” said Mr Meade.
Ms Clarke added: “He was lovely. He would help anybody.”
Follow our channel and never miss an update
Mr Meade’s parents are struggling to cope with their grief with so many unanswered questions about their son’s final moments.
“This has absolutely destroyed our family. It’s been a living nightmare,” said Mr Meade.
