Marcus Meade: Vigil to mark 40th birthday of man killed by police

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Marcus Meade died on Christmas Eve after being shot by police

A vigil will be held next week to mark what would have been the 40th birthday of a man who was shot dead by police.

Marcus Meade died on Christmas Eve after a five-hour standoff with West Mercia Police at his home on Fownhope Close, Redditch.

Officers had been called to reports the father of two was in possession of a knife.

A group set up to demand answers said the vigil on Sunday, at the same location, would serve as a moment of remembrance and a renewed call for justice.

Bishop Desmond Jaddoo, the campaign's chair, said Mr Meade's family were continuing to suffer.

"It is a time to come along and light a candle in memory of Marcus," he said.

"As we remember him on what should have been his 40th birthday, we also call for the immediate suspension of the officer who fired the fatal shot, pending the ongoing IOPC investigation."

A new vigil for Marcus Meade will be held near the property where he died

Mr Meade, originally from Birmingham, is believed to have been suffering a mental health episode when he was shot once in the chest.

In February, relatives criticised a decision not to suspend the officers involved in the incident.

They have also raised concerns about how police communicated with a member of the family at the scene during the incident, and the conduct of the force after Mr Meade's death.

Investigation continues

The circumstances remain under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is also considering whether race was a factor in the shooting.

West Mercia Police previously said it continued "to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Marcus Meade".

"Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic incident," a spokesperson said.

"The IOPC continues to carry out an independent investigation, and it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time."

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