Vigil to be held on what would've been the 40th birthday of man killed by police in Redditch
Marcus Meade was pronounced dead at an address in Fownhope Close on 24 December, with an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into his death ongoing
The family of a Redditch man killed on Christmas Eve by police say they're holding a vigil later to mark what would've been his 40th birthday.
39-year-old Marcus Meade was pronounced dead at an address in Fownhope Close at around 8pm on 24 December after a firearms officer fired a single shot which hit him in the chest.
Officers carried out immediate first aid on the father of two originally from Birmingham, but he died at the scene.
An investigation into his death from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) remains ongoing.
His family and a campaign group set-up following his death say the vigil will serve as both a moment of remembrance and a renewed call for justice for the officer who fired the shot which killed Mr Meade to be suspended.
"It’s a landmark birthday being 40 and he’s not here,” said the campaign's chair Bishop Desmond Jaddoo.
"This is the coming together of the community, of friends and Marcus’ family to say, listen we know you’re physically no longer here, but his memories live on and what he meant to his family lives on.
"We also call for the immediate suspension of the officer who fired the fatal shot, pending the ongoing IOPC investigation."
Marcus's dad Anthony Meade and his mum Deborah Clarke say they want answers into what happened and why there son is dead.
"I want justice for my son," Deborah said.
"I'm going to get justice for my son, if it takes me years, I'm going to get justice for him."
Ongoing investigation
In a previous statement, a West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "The officers involved have not been suspended and, after a period of reflection, have returned to duty."
They added: ""In a gravely serious incident such as this, the suspension of police officers is a significant decision. It is a process guided by regulations and policies, which we have adhered to. The decision is regularly reviewed, as the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation progresses, to ensure it remains appropriate and proportionate.
"We continue to cooperate fully and unreservedly with the independent investigation being carried out by the IOPC to ensure that Marcus’ family are given the answers that they rightly want and deserve."
The IOPC investigation has so far established officers had been called to the property at around 2pm that day following concerns for the welfare of a man.
West Mercia Police officers then attempted to negotiate with father-of-two Marcus Meade, who was reportedly in possession of a knife, for several hours.
At around 7.40pm, several officers forced entry to the property using distraction devices which generated several loud bangs and flashes before a single shot was then fired, hitting Marcus in the chest.
It added in an update in February it was also looking at "whether officers properly took into account Mr Meade’s mental health issues" and "if Mr Meade’s race may have influenced any actions taken by police."
Ahead of the vigil, West Mercia Police said in a statement: "We continue to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Marcus Meade, our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic incident.
"The Independent Office for Police Conduct continues to carry out an independent investigation and it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time; however, we will do so when we are able."