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Mark was a wonderful son, gun siege man's mum tells Community News
THE barrister killed by armed police after a stand-off at his Chelsea home on Tuesday was an ex-King's School boy, Mark Saunders.
But his mother, Rosemary, refuted suggestions that her son was "some sort of homicidal maniac" and told Community News: "He was a happy boy, adored by his two sisters. He and his wife, Elizabeth, were a golden couple and this is a tragic loss."
Mr Saunders, 32, died after exchanging shots with police, who laid siege to his home at about 4pm after neighbours reported a gun being fired from a window. During the siege, which lasted for just over five hours, a shoebox lid was thrown from a bedroom window in the house, bearing the message: "I love my wife dearly xxx."
Mr Saunders had a shotgun licence, and a legally held firearm was found in his home after police forced their way in, using stun grenades. Attempts to resuscitate him failed.
Dr Stephen Coyne, head of the King's Foundation, said: "The King's School is deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Mark Saunders.
"Mark left King's in 1994 to go up to Christ Church, Oxford, to study law, having made a significant contribution to school life.
"A fine academic, he studied English literature, history and Latin at A-level and was described as helpful, enthusiastic and generous in his school report.
"Mark was appointed a school vice-captain and distinguished himself both as a member of the debating team and as a young actor, taking a leading role in the production of Nicholas Nickleby.
"Many teachers, both past and present, remember Mark with affection and we wish to pass on our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones."
After leaving Christ Church, Mr Saunders went to bar school and was then employed as a barrister working in family law at QEB chambers in London, where he met his wife, Elizabeth Clarke, also a barrister.
The couple married in August 2006.
The chambers' legal directory said Mr Saunders was noted for his "maturity, unflappability and lack of hesitation". A spokesman for the firm said: "Mark was a very valued member of the chambers and obviously we are shocked and horrifed by what has happened. Our thoughts are with his family."
From 1999 to 2002, Mr Saunders served in the Territorial Army as a trooper in the Honourable Artillery Company, but he was not deployed on active service.
He was the middle child of Rodney and Rosemary Saunders, of Brook Lane, Alderley Edge. Mr Saunders is a chartered quantity surveyor and Mrs Saunders is a retired health visitor.
Mrs Saunders told Community News: "We are still struggling to come to terms with this.
"Mark was very successful - things came easily to him. At school he was good at drama, which I suppose helped him in his chosen career.
"His chambers has been inundated with goodwill messages from clients and colleagues and Mark had lots of friends.
"This was a tragic personal accident in a situation which got out of hand and then escalated.
"We are grappling to come to terms with the loss of a wonderful son."
3:36pm Thursday 8th May 2008
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