A single shot fired by an armed police officer killed a dad-of-two in Redditch. It followed a stand-off between West Mercia Police and 39-year-old Marcus Meade, who was armed with a knife, on Christmas Eve.
Officers were called following concerns for the welfare of the occupant at a property on Fownhope Close at around 2pm that day. Police had attempted to negotiate with Mr Meade for several hours. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said several officers forced entry to the property using distraction devices – several loud bangs and flashes – at 7.40pm.
At least one Taser was then discharged, and a firearms officer fired a single shot which hit Mr Meade in the chest, the IOPC said. Officers attempted immediate first aid, but he died at the scene at around 8pm.
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A post-mortem examination took place on New Year’s Eve and toxicology tests were being progressed, the IOPC said. IOPC investigators also attended the property on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to oversee forensic examinations and secure evidence. Through the police post-incident procedure, it has obtained initial accounts from the officers involved.
(Image: PA)
It has collated many hours of police body-worn video footage from the overall incident which it has begun to review. It said officers had carried out local inquiries at Fownhope Close and were aware of relevant doorbell footage. They continue to have contact with the coroner and will be arranging to gather more detailed accounts from relevant police officers in the near future.
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.
“We have established that while police used distraction techniques causing several bangs and flashes on entering the property, there was one shot fired by an armed officer. We will continue to carefully review the considerable volume of police body-worn footage we have collated.
“Our investigation will examine the police strategy and tactics throughout the overall incident and officers’ actions and decision-making including any risk assessments of the situation, and whether relevant policies and procedures were followed.”