‘OUTRAGEOUS VIOLENCE’: TRIPLE SHOOTING IN CITY CENTRE
POLICE HUNTING FOR GUNMAN AFTER SHOCKING FAR GOSFORD STREET INCIDENT
This was outrageous violence on the streets of the city centre and we’re doing everything we can to bring those responsible to justice
THREE people have been taken to hospital after a shooting in Coventry.
The incident, which took place on Far Gosford Street on the outskirts of the city centre late on Thursday (September 17) night prompted a large scale emergency services response.
While police were on hand to secure the scene, three ambulances, three paramedic officers, and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance critical care car - with a doctor on board, were dispatched.
At the scene, three men were all treated by medics.
The ambulance service has said that all three suffered injuries “not believed to be serious” and were taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further assessment.
On Friday morning, West Midlands Police said that they believe the gunman left in a dark coloured vehicle - and have urged anyone with information to come forward.
Eyewitnesses at the scene last night reported seeing marked police cars blocking off a number of side roads leading on to Far Gosford Street, including Vecqueray Street - on the edge of the city centre.
It is thought that there were groups of youths milling in the area at around 11pm, following the incident.
A local resident, who asked not to be named, described how two men blocked the street off with a car before one ran along the road and opened fire at around 10.15pm.
The person said: “There was a group of lads outside the Chinese takeaway on Far Gosford Street all chatting in a group, with one on an electric scooter.
“There were a few other people just standing around as well.
“Then a Nissan Qashqai pulls into Far Gosford Street with the gunman and a driver.
“The car blocked off the road and the gunman came running down the street in the middle of the road. He was wearing a black hoodie with the hood up and was ducking down.
“He had a long barrelled weapon, a shotgun, and fired three or four times before jumping back in the car and driving off.”
The resident said: “It was a preplanned attack because the gunman knew where the intended victim was.
“The victim ran into the takeaway. There were a lot of people present and there was a traffic jam after the driver blocked the road, which is a one-way system.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “We’re investigating after three men were shot on Far Gosford Street at around 10.15pm yesterday (Thursday).
“Three men have been taken to hospital - two to be treated for serious injuries, and a third with more minor injuries.
“It’s thought the offender left in a dark coloured vehicle and we’re appealing to anyone with any information to contact us as soon as possible.
“We’ve closed the road while we forensically examine the scene.
“Did you see anything? Do you have dash-cam or mobile phone footage of the what happened? We want to hear from you.”
Supt Paul Minor, of Coventry police, said: “We’ll be stepping up patrols in the area over the coming days.
“This was outrageous violence on the streets of the city centre and we’re doing everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.”
West Midlands Police can be contacted via live chat online, or by calling 101, quoting log number 4989 of September 17.
Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously.