Car stopped in Shirley leads to arrest of suspected gunman

A man suspected of opening fire on a motorist with a shotgun has been arrested by officers following a stop-check in Solihull last night (9th October).

Response officers pulled over a car being driven suspiciously on Stratford Road in Shirley at 9pm and arrested a 19-year-old after checks revealed he was wanted for a shooting in Small Heath on 25th September.

Further enquiries led officers to an address in Stoke where an 18-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of this morning.

Both men are being questioned over the Lloyd Street shooting that saw a 60-year-old man blasted with a shotgun while behind the wheel of his car.

Detective Inspector Vanessa Eyles from West Midlands Police Force CID, said: “This was a fantastic piece of police work: officers had their suspicions over the car and their concerns were proved accurate as one of the men on board was wanted.

“We believe the shooting was a targeted attack following some kind of dispute; investigations remain on-going and we are determined to bring the people responsible to justice.

“Anyone who discharges firearms illegally in public faces many years behind bars.”

The victim suffered shotgun discharge injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment before being discharged.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 (quoting log 2897 of 25 September) or speak to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Read more: https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/news/4097/car-stop-leads-arrest-suspected-gunman