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 3 Version 4
Birmingham shooting: Residents 'worry' after teens hurt Birmingham shooting: Police in Handsworth seek tip-offs
(about 4 hours later)
The shooting of two boys on a doorstep outside a Halloween party has left nearby residents fearful and shocked. Officers investigating the shooting of two boys outside a Halloween party have urged the public to come forward with information.
A 15-year-old boy suffered "serious internal injuries" when a bullet went through him before lodging in the stomach of another boy, aged 14, in Handsworth, Birmingham, on Friday. A 15-year-old boy was shot by a single round which went through him before hitting his cousin, aged 14, in Handsworth, Birmingham, on Friday.
A councillor said it was "scary" for residents, while neighbours added the shooting was "shocking". West Midlands Police said it was "unacceptable" for two children with no links to criminality to be shot.
Police do not believe the boys were targeted deliberately. Detectives said they had received little information over the shooting.
West Midlands Police said the bullet that hit the teenagers went through the front and out the back of one of the boys, before lodging in the other's stomach. The cousins were standing on the doorstep of a relative's house where the party was being held, having knocked on the front door moments before.
The 15-year-old has serious internal injuries, while the 14-year-old has had surgery to remove the bullet. Officers said "a powerful firearm" was discharged from a car which left the scene in Victoria Road at about 20:15 GMT.
Both are said to be in stable condition and they have spoken to police. The bullet that hit the teenagers went through the front and out the back of one of the boys before lodging in the other's stomach.
'Random shootings' The victims have both undergone surgery and are currently in serious but stable conditions in hospital. They are both expected to make a full a full recovery, police said.
Officers said the weapon was discharged from a car, which left the scene in Victoria Road at about 20:15 GMT. Both teenagers had been to a community centre earlier in the evening before heading to the Halloween party.
The bullet was fired from a vehicle which pulled up on the opposite side of the road, according to witnesses.
Det Supt Maria Fox, of West Midlands Police, said: "Two children with no affiliation to any sort of criminality being shot at is a very serious and unacceptable position for us to be in."
Despite a high-profile appeal over the weekend, police had not had a single call from the public more than two days on from the shooting.
Det Supt Fox said the shooting had "crossed the line" and she would have expected people within the criminal fraternity to have come forward anonymously with the names of those responsible.
She said: "My expectations were when they heard two children had been shot outside a family party in Handsworth that would create a reaction or response in the community, whether from the criminal community or law-abiding community."
Police are now studying CCTV and have identified that the round may have been fired from a dark-coloured car containing several people.
A bullet recovered from the second victim has been sent to a specialist firearms lab for fast-track analysis, which officers hope will shed light on the gun and exact calibre used.
While both boys had been "briefly" spoken to, because of their conditions officers had yet to get a full account of their movements.
Chaman Lal, the Labour councillor for Soho and Jewellery Quarter, which covers the area, said it was "terrible" innocent victims could be shot at in "random shootings".Chaman Lal, the Labour councillor for Soho and Jewellery Quarter, which covers the area, said it was "terrible" 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 said.
"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."
Harpal Bansal, who has lived in the area for 28 years, said: "You can't dare to say anything, you never know whether people have anything with them."Harpal Bansal, who has lived in the area for 28 years, said: "You can't dare to say anything, you never know whether people have anything with them."
John Foster, 58, said the shooting made him scared for his 11-year-old daughter.John Foster, 58, said the shooting made him scared for his 11-year-old daughter.
"It's really brought me closer to her. I'm worried for her future," he said. He said: "I used to go out at night but now I don't as there is always something going on."
He had been aware of other shootings in the area but said: "This was really surprising.
"It happened so near to where I live.
"I used to go out at night but now I don't as there is always something going on - people with hoodies on, things going on."
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."
Peter Smith, 81, who lives near the scene of the shooting, 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 needed 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: "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".
Oasis Academy Boulton, which is opposite Victoria Road, said: "The safety and wellbeing of our children, families and staff is always our first priority. Following assurances from our partners at the West Midlands Police and the local authority, the school is open as usual, a decision supported by our parents, carers and wider local community."
Officers have appealed for witnesses and motorists who may have dashboard camera footage of surrounding roads on Friday evening.