This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-46095161
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Birmingham shooting: Residents 'worry' after teens hurt | Birmingham shooting: Residents 'worry' after teens hurt |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The shooting of two boys on a doorstep outside a Halloween party has left nearby residents fearful and shocked. | |
A 15-year-old boy suffered "serious internal injuries" when a bullet went through him before lodging in the stomach of a another boy, aged 14, in Handsworth, Birmingham, on Friday. | A 15-year-old boy suffered "serious internal injuries" when a bullet went through him before lodging in the stomach of a another boy, aged 14, in Handsworth, Birmingham, on Friday. |
A councillor said it was "scary" for residents, while neighbours added the incident was "shocking". | |
Police do not believe the boys were targeted deliberately. | Police do not believe the boys were targeted deliberately. |
West Midlands Police said the bullet that hit the two teenagers went through the front and out the back of one of the boys, before lodging in the other's stomach. | |
Officers said the weapon was discharged from a car, which left the scene in Victoria Road at about 20:15 GMT. | |
Mr Lal, the Labour councillor for Soho and Jewellery Quarter, which covers the area, said it was "terrible" that innocent victims could be shot at in "random shootings". | |
"It is terrible news, really scary for residents, for something like this to have happened on their doorsteps," he added. | |
"It is a decent, quiet area, not a crime-ridden area, so for something like this to happen is really worrying for me and residents in the area." | "It is a decent, quiet area, not a crime-ridden area, so for something like this to happen is really worrying for me and residents in the area." |
Ali Hama, who has worked at a grocery shop on the corner of Victoria Road for seven years, said: "It is worrying for the younger generation. | |
"To be honest, two to three months ago it happened on the next road along. | |
"It's something going on with guns and stuff in the Handsworth area, and the police have to do something about it." | |
Another Handsworth resident, who did not want to be named, said the shooting was "shocking". | |
"I heard about it on the news and it was quite shocking because it was kids so young," she said | |
Peter Smith, 81, who lives near the scene of the shooting said a neighbour told him about it on Saturday morning. | |
Mr Smith, who moved in Handsworth in 1960, said the area had got "rougher" but was still a good place to live. | |
"Everybody along the road - they are good neighbours," he said. | |
"There are many nationalities but everybody gets on with one another." | |
The retired grocer said crime had risen but he did "not feel worried" and expected to stay there. | |
"I have very happy memories here and have my friends in Handsworth, and my neighbours". | |
Community activist Desmond Jaddoo said more needs to be done to tackle violence, adding: "It does bring into question how safe are our streets, that this could happen to two schoolboys. | |
"Issues like this affect local families, the residents that live in the vicinity of Victoria Road. People generally have expressed concerns regarding their safety." | |
Shabana Mahmood MP for Birmingham Ladywood said : "These two boys were arriving at a Halloween party which also had a number of other children in attendance. | |
"It is truly appalling that they have been subjected to such a violent attack with such potentially life-changing consequences." | "It is truly appalling that they have been subjected to such a violent attack with such potentially life-changing consequences." |
A spokeswoman for the nearby King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys, said the school remained "extra vigilant" in "circumstances such as this". | A spokeswoman for the nearby King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys, said the school remained "extra vigilant" in "circumstances such as this". |
The 15-year-old has serious internal injuries, while the 14-year-old has had surgery to remove the bullet. | The 15-year-old has serious internal injuries, while the 14-year-old has had surgery to remove the bullet. |
Both are said to be in stable condition, and they have spoken to police. | Both are said to be in stable condition, and they have spoken to police. |
Officers have appealed for witnesses and motorists who may have dashboard camera footage of surrounding roads on Friday evening. | Officers have appealed for witnesses and motorists who may have dashboard camera footage of surrounding roads on Friday evening. |