Police have begun a murder investigation after a 28-year-old man was shot dead in the street.
Emergency services were scrambled to the junction of Spring Lane and Church Street in Erdington at around midday today, and promptly sealed off the area.
Witnesses said the victim’s brother had to be led away by police in ‘an extremely distressed state’, although it is not clear if he actually witnessed the shooting.
Two forensic tents have been set up on Church Road in Erdington, a suburb of Birmingham, where a 28-year-old man was shot dead in the street today
Emergency services were scrambled to the junction of Spring Lane and Church Street in Erdington at around midday
Resident Ronnie Douglas, 54, said: ‘The brother ran over in an extremely distressed state. He was so frantic, the police had to take him away.
‘He was very upset and emotional but he needed someone to calm him down
‘I came up when it was all cornered off. Its really shocking, I have lived here for many years
‘The thing I have found most disturbing is that the police are not being proactive but reactive to these sort of crimes.’
Another resident said: ‘I heard lots of people shouting outside about two hours ago but I didn’t hear the gunshots.
‘There were lots of people around but the tent was not put up there for a while.
‘It was just a blanket – I have never seen a dead body on the floor like that before. Its truly shocking.’
West Midlands Ambulance Service said the victim was confirmed dead at the scene.
One ambulance, two paramedic officers, the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car attended.
Forensic officers are combing Church Road, which remains closed off to the public pending police enquiries
A forensic officer lifts a tarpaulin sheet around the shot where the body was found as another takes a photograph
Police have started a murder investigation and are asking potential witnesses to contact them on 101
Another resident said: ‘There’s been a police incident, officers have blocked off Church Road right by the Spring Lane junction.
‘It’s a residential part of Erdington and I live five minutes away. It’s all taped off. You’ve got helicopters hovering all above.
‘It all happened at around 1pm. It’s locked off. I live in the area.’
A member of staff who works at Erdington Aquatics, which is situated on Church Road, said: ‘You’ve got police still outside, the road is taped off towards Spring Lane.
‘An ambulance and paramedics are also here. Police swarmed the area about 12ish, it’s still ongoing.’
Several streets have been sealed off and there is an incident support unit on the scene.
Plain clothes officers are currently speaking to residents, some of whom are in tears.
Several surrounding streets have been sealed off and there is an incident support unit on the scene
One of the forensic tents on Church Road, where the shooting happened earlier today
West Midlands Police said: ‘Police are currently on Church Road in Erdington following a fatal shooting just after midday this afternoon’
West Midlands Police said: ‘Police are currently on Church Road in Erdington following a fatal shooting just after midday this afternoon.
‘A 28-year-old man was shot and his family have been informed. Enquiries into the circumstances around the incident continue.’
A West Midlands Ambulance spokesman said: ‘We were called at 12pm to an incident in Church Road, Erdington.
‘We sent one ambulance, two paramedic officers, the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car.’
Labour MP Jack Dromey spoke of his shock – and has urged the community of Erdington to unite and to help with the investigation.
Mr Dromey said: ‘The community of Erdington will be shocked by this tragic murder. My sympathy goes to the victim and the family.
‘I would urge anyone who knows the perpetrator of this evil act to come forward to the police immediately.’