Violence worst it has ever been after night of bloodshed
A COMMUNITY leader has claimed violence in Birmingham is the worst he has ever known it after a fatal shooting and two other attacks within six hours.
In total three men were shot and one boy was repeatedly stabbed in a night of violence on the inner city streets of Birmingham.
The victims – all males and aged from just 14 to 31 – were attacked at various locations within a one-mile radius.
A man has been arrested over the double shooting that left another dead and a second badly hurt.
Gunshots rang out besides City Hospital in Western Road, Winson Green, at 5.30pm on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old man died from his injuries, while the second victim, aged 22, remained in hospital in a critical condition after walking into the nearby eye unit.
A man, 29, was arrested on Wednesday and was detained on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.
A resident living close to the scene described hearing “a loud bang” at the time of the death.
A teenager was then shot in a latenight drive-by attack in Birmingham city centre.
The victim, aged just 16, was gunned down near a bus stop on St Vincent Street, next to the Utilita Arena, formerly the NIA.
It happened just before midnight on Tuesday, with the suspects escaping in a dark-coloured car.
Meanwhile, a teenage boy was stabbed multiple times on a basketball court in a Birmingham park.
The 14-year-old was attacked in Burbury Park, Lozells, on Tuesday night. He survived and was recovering in hospital.
Community leader Desmond Jaddoo told the Post violence in the city “is the worst it has ever been”. He said: “My sincere condolences go out to the family of the murdered man. I can’t remember it ever being as bad as it is at the moment.
“I think it is worse now than it was when we had the gang wars between the Burger Bar Boys and the Johnson
brothers. I had four phone calls from people shortly after this shooting. People are telling me they don’t feel safe to walk the streets anymore.
“This shooting was in broad daylight when you have lots of people walking the streets. We need intervention programmes to stop youngsters progressing into violent crime and we need strong leadership. Enough is enough now.”
Police confirmed they were stepping up patrols following the violence.
Neighbourhood officers tweeted: “Please can we reassure our residents that following incidents in Western Road, Winson Green, and Burbury Park, Lozells, our officers are increasing patrols in our communities.
“As ever, we do appeal for any help, info, intel please. Someone knows something and we can be told confidentially.”
Det Chief Insp Ian Ingram, from the force’s homicide team, said: “The events of last night are shocking and very sad. A young man has died and another is very poorly after being seriously injured.
“There is no place for violence like this on our streets and we’re doing all we can to establish what happened yesterday evening and why.”