IOPC investigation into West Mercia Police fatal shooting in Redditch is progressing

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into the fatal police shooting in Redditch on Christmas Eve is continuing. 

Marcus Meade, 39 and from Redditch, was sadly pronounced dead at the address in Fownhope Close at around 8 pm on 24 December.

Officers had been called to the property at around 2pm that day, following concerns for the welfare of the occupant. Police attempted to negotiate with Mr Meade, who was in possession of a knife, for several hours. We have established that at approximately 7.40pm, several 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. Officers attempted immediate first aid, but he died at the scene a short time later. 

A post-mortem examination took place on 31 December and toxicology tests are being progressed. 

IOPC investigators attended the property on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to oversee forensic examinations and secure evidence. Through the police post-incident procedure, we have obtained initial accounts from the officers involved. We have collated many hours of police body-worn video footage from the overall incident which we have begun to review. We have carried out some local enquiries at Fownhope Close and are aware of relevant doorbell footage. We are continuing to have contact with the Coroner. We 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.”