'The light of our lives': Heartbroken families pay tribute to Black Country shooting victims
The families of two men shot dead in the Black Country have paid emotional tributes to them and criticised the "gratuitous violence" that led to their deaths.
William Henry, 31, and Brian McIntosh, 29, were found dead in the car park of an industrial estate off Moor Street, Brierley Hill, at 3.30pm on Wednesday.
Mr Henry and Mr McIntosh, who both had children and were from the Bartley Green area of Birmingham, were the victims of the third shooting in the Black Country in three days.
Alleged gunman Jonathan Houseman, aged 32 and from Stourbridge, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday and has now been charged.
A second person arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released without charge.
Meanwhile a post mortem examination has confirmed that both men died from gunshot wounds. They were in a Range Rover at the Albion Works industrial estate when they were killed.
Mr Henry is the brother of West End Star Matt Henry MBE, who has appeared in West End shows including Saturday Night Fever and Kinky Boots and reached the final of TV talent show The Voice in 2013.
His family today issued a statement which said: “On 30 September our lives ended because of an act of gratuitous violence.
“Will was a much-loved dad, son, brother, uncle, partner and friend. He was loving and caring and always thought of others before himself. He was the light of our lives, his death has left a huge void in our lives.
"We would like to express our thanks to the kind words and love shown from extended family and friends.
“We are a grieving family and now would like the press to allow us to grieve in private and with respect.”
Mr McIntosh's family also paid tribute, saying: “Brian was a much-loved son, a devoted partner and a doting father to his two sons.
“He was a loving brother to his three sisters and three brothers. He was loved dearly by his whole family nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles and cousins.
"There will be a big whole left in all of our hearts. As a family we are all absolutely devastated and heartbroken.”
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Munro, from the homicide team, said: “The death of these two young men is very sad and my thoughts are with their families and friends, who are devastated by what has happened.
“I’m aware the wider community are also shocked and saddened by the events of Wednesday and we’re doing all we can to work out what happened.
“I continue to appeal to anyone with information about what happened, or anyone who was in the area at the time and saw or heard anything suspicious, to get in touch."
The Albion Works estate has been cordoned off since the shootings, with the main entrance off Moor Street and an alleyway leading from Springfield Road both sealed off with police tape.
The killings were the third shooting incident in the Black Country in three days, after shots were fired into a classroom at Wolverhampton College on Monday and a man was seriously injured in Cradley Heath on Tuesday night.
Police have confirmed that no arrests have been made in connection with either incident and that they are not believed to be linked.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via Live Chat at our website or call 101 quoting log 3204 from 30 Sept.
