Mystery surrounds the death of a Kirkcaldy man in an incident that left a female police officer in hospital.
Claims that father-of-two Sheku Bayoh was seen waving a knife in the street shortly before police swooped have been met with disbelief by friends, who described the 31-year-old as a true gentleman.
As an independent probe into the circumstances continued, close friend Mike Sutherland said he simply could not understand the allegation.
“It’s just not him,” he said.
“Sheku didn’t have a bad bone in his body, quite the opposite.
“If it’s true he was walking about with a knife then I can only think he thought his life was in mortal danger but I don’t know why he would think that.
“There’s a big question mark.”See also: PIRC appeals for witnessesWitnesses said up to 15 officers attended the incident on Hayfield Road at around 7.30am on Sunday.
Police Scotland refused to comment on that, referring all calls to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), which is conducting the inquiry.
Mr Sutherland, 46, said he believed his friend had been watching the Floyd Mayweather fight and was making his way to his Templehall home, where he lived with partner Collette Bell and baby son Isaac.
Miss Bell’s family declined to speak to The Courier.
Mr Bayoh, who worked for British Gas, also had another young son from a previous relationship.
“It’s heartbreaking that his wee boy will never know his dad,” said Mr Sutherland.
“Sheku was one of the most warm-hearted, considerate people and he wouldn’t hurt a fly.
“He was always positive and very respectful and I don’t understand what has happened, let alone the story that’s coming out.”
Mr Bayoh was originally from Sierra Leone and still had family in west Africa.
Mr Sutherland added: “He was such a popular guy. Everyone liked him. His funeral is going to be huge.”
A spokeswoman for the PIRC confirmed they had been instructed by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to carry out an independent investigation into Mr Bayoh’s death.
She confirmed he had been detained by police shortly before he died and added: “A report on the PIRC’s findings will be submitted to the COPFS in due course.”