Teens injured in shooting undergo surgery
Two teenagers injured by a single bullet in a drive-by shooting have undergone surgery.
The bullet, fired from a dark coloured vehicle in Victoria Road, Handsworth, hit the older boy, aged 15, in the chest and exited through his back, narrowly missing vital organs. It went on to hit the younger boy, aged 14, and lodged in his stomach.
They were just outside a family member’s address on Friday evening where a Halloween party was being held which a number of other young children were attending.
Detectives are working to examine CCTV of the area to trace the car involved, as well as speaking to witnesses in the road at the time.
Detective Superintendent Maria Fox, from force CID, said: “These two young boys are lucky to be alive and we wish them a speedy recovery.
“As a force, we are outraged at this terrible act of violence. Whoever did this had no thought for the appalling consequences, which could have been much worse.
“We will leave no stone unturned in our hunt for the gunman, and I would appeal to anyone who knows who that is to search their conscience and tell us what they know.
“At present, we have had very little information from the community – how would you feel if this was your brother, son or close friend? You can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Anyone with information can contact the force via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am to midnight, call 101 anytime or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting crime reference number 1162 of 4/11.
