Hundreds of people gathered for a vigil in memory of a dad-of-two who was shot dead by armed police on Christmas Eve.

More than 100 friends and family came together last night (Tue) at the scene where Marcus Meade was killed four weeks ago.

He was gunned down following a five-hour stand off with cops at his home on Fownhope Close, in Redditch, Worcs..

The heartbroken family of the 39-year-old had asked the community to turn out to light a candle in his memory.

Candles spelling out his name were lit and flowers laid as his dad Anthony Meade told how the loss had "absolutely devastated the family"."

He added: "Christmas is meant to be a time for loving, sharing and caring and to hear of 13 tactical explosions, a taser and a bullet being delivered into my son's chest, makes it difficult for us as a family to celebrate Christmas ever again."

"I need to know why my baby boy is dead."

"We want to know why they killed our son. Why they sent armed police to somebody that they were well aware of and knew he was of no harm to anyone."

"This is the kind of stuff that you hear about in America not Birmingham."

Officers had arrived at the address on Fownhope Close around 2pm on December 24 following raised concerns for the safety of a man with a knife.

He was later pronounced dead around 8pm after being shot by officers.

West Mercia Police have made an immediate referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC).

His family said he had been a well-respected member of the local community and picked up a bravery award for tackling a murderer in 2003.

He had helped to wrestle killer Inderjit Kainth to the ground after he stabbed 16-year-old Rosie Ross as she sunbathed in Birmingham city centre.

Mum Deborah said: "I want to know what happened to my son, I want to know why they thought it was ok to do what they did to my son."

"I want answers and I want justice for my son."

"Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for coming out. We'll get justice."

She added that she thought race was "part of the factors" that resulted in Mr Meade's death."

Community activist Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo, who organised the vigil, said: "We've got to demonstrate love and care for the family. "

"In circumstances like this, they are on their own."

"We've got to gather around them right now and show some love, that's what's important."

"Whilst demanding answers as well as to why the police carried out this operation on Christmas Eve."

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said officers involved had provided detailed accounts and that it was conducting a "lengthy investigation"."

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."