THE family of a man shot dead by a police marksman have paid tribute to the 39-year-old engineer.

Dayniel Tucker was fatally wounded in Stansted, near Sevenoaks, on Saturday, December 29 after police responded to reports that a man was brandishing an Uzi-type submachine gun.

A statement issued by the Tucker family, who come from Swale, said Dayniel would be sorely missed.

It said: "Dan was a loving brother, uncle and godfather. Although a private man, he was loyal to his friends and family and he will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

"Dan worked as a precision engineer and took great pride in his work. He loved nature and the outdoors and took great delight in watching the sunrise every morning. He loved animals and was a strict vegetarian.

"We are devastated by his death, which has come as a huge shock to us all."

It is still unclear why Dayniel, who was from Sittingbourne, was in Stansted.

The Independent Police Complaints Comission (IPCC) are investigating. An inquest into Mr Tucker's death opens tomorrow in Tunbridge Wells.

If you saw Mr Tucker between 10pm on Friday, December 28 and 8.30am on Friday, December 29, or saw Mr Tucker's car, a Mitsubishi Colt with the registration number J278 WDC, contact the IPCC incident room on 0800 0969072 or email: tucker_incident@ipcc.gov.uk