'Help me': Brierley Hill murder victim's final plea after High Street stabbing

Ahmad Sherzad was serving customers when the bleeding 24-year-old man stumbled into Dixi Chicken in Brierley Hill town centre on Saturday night.

The man had been stabbed in the stomach and had his hand over his bleeding wound as he stumbled in the takeaway on the High Street shortly before 5pm. He was taken to hospital but later died.

The knife attack took place close to the diner, according to West Midlands Police, who last night were on the hunt for the offender after launching a murder investigation.

Mr Sherzad, aged 20, from Afghanistan, said: "He had a hand to his waist and blood was coming out.

"He came up to counter and said 'help me' before fainting on to the floor.

"I went outside and called an ambulance."

He added: "At first I thought it was some kind of joke when he walked in, but then I realised how serious it was.

"It was really scary for everyone inside – no-one knew where he had come from or what had happened.

"While I was outside my manager put a blanket over the man to keep him warm before the ambulance came.

"We're all completely shocked."

Emergency services, including the Midlands Air Ambulance, which landed at a football pitch on nearby Hillcrest Avenue, were called at around 4.45pm.

The man was taken to hospital in a critical condition but was later pronounced dead.

Detective Jim Munro said he believed the attack was 'targeted'.

Yesterday the High Street was closed off and a blue tent situated outside a Chinese takeaway.

A wooded area close to the High Street was also cordoned off.

Traders in the town centre yesterday reacted to the stabbing.

Lee Reynolds, who works for STD Carpets on Church Street, described the incident as 'scary'.

He said: "Brierley Hill has its troubles but it's still scary when you hear something like that. I know you hear of these things but you don't expect them to happen on your doorstep."

• MORE: Community in shock at third knife attack in eight days

• MORE: Murder probed launched after man stabbed to death

Gurpreet Singh, who works at the Brierley Drink Shop on the High Street, said he was not shaken by Saturday's events.

The area cordoned off by police started at Mecca Bingo up to the southern end of the road.

People also reacted on social media.

Responding to a post by West Midlands Police on the man's death, Tina Griffiths said: "What is happening to this world we had none of this in our days.

"If there was a fight just fists & that's how it should stay no knives."

Paul Cadwallader said: "It's not a age or a way to die, my thoughts are with his family, I think it's time West Midlands police stepped things up a notch as this area is becoming worse by the day."

Jonathan Hawthorne was on a bus when he saw the emergency services arrive at the scene.

He said: "I was on the 246 when the police and paramedics just turned up, terrible thing to happen, thoughts and prayers are with his family.

"I've been going into Brierley Hill High Street for over 30 years, it's unsafe at night, and now in the daytime.

"Brierley Hill High Street has changed for the worse, there are a lot of good decent people in Brierley Hill, but you ask them the same question – do you feel safe in the high street at night and now the day time and I bet the majority will say no."

It comes following two stabbings in the Dudley borough last week.

On Saturday a 22-year-old man was stabbed in Shadwell Drive, Lower Gornal.

Three 15-year-old boys were arrested in connection with the incident and are on police bail.

And on Sunday an 18-year-old was knifed in the stomach in Sedgley High Street.

A 14-year-old boy appeared at Wolverhampton Youth Court charged with wounding with intent following the attack on Sunday.

The teenager was remanded in youth detention.

Anyone with information on the stabbing should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.