Boy, 14, is arrested on suspicion of murder after 15-year-old was ‘shot dead outside his home by gang of youths also armed with knives before attackers smash getaway car into house as they flee’
- A 15-year-old died after witnesses heard shots fired in the Handsworth area
- Emergency services rushed to scene following the ambush at around 3.30pm
- The youngster, who has not been named, died shortly after arriving at hospital
- Suspects were forced to flee on foot after crashing Ford hatchback into a house
A 14-year-old schoolboy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a teenager was killed outside his home during a brutal attack by a gang of youths armed with guns and knives.
The 15-year-old died after witnesses heard shots fired in the Handsworth area of Birmingham in broad daylight on Thursday afternoon.
Emergency services rushed to the scene following the ambush at around 3.30pm but the youngster, who has not been named, died shortly after arriving at hospital.
The suspects fled on foot after crashing a Ford hatchback into a house on a nearby road sparking a police manhunt.
West Midlands Police today revealed a 14-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murdering the boy, who lived locally.
He remains in police custody while a post mortem examination will take place in due course to establish the teenager’s cause of death.
Police forensics examine the scene where the crashed getaway car was abandoned in Wheeler Street, Handsworth, Birmingham, on Thursday night
Police at the scene of the attack in Handsworth, Birmingham, on Thursday night
An officer stands at the police cordon on Linwood Road in Handsworth tonight where the suspects crashed their getaway car
The residential street in the city suburb remains cordoned while officers continue to carry out forensic examinations.
Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Orencas said: ‘Our investigation has progressed at pace and this arrest is a positive step forward as we try to establish exactly what happened yesterday afternoon.
‘Yesterday’s events were shocking and tragic.
‘My thoughts are with the boy’s family who are being supported by specialist family liaison officers at this incredibly sad and difficult time.
‘We’re doing all we can to fully understand what took place, violence like this on our streets is heart-breaking and deeply concerning.
‘I’d urge anyone who saw anything or has any information to contact us as soon as possible.’
West Midlands Police cordoned off an area in Handsworth area following the shooting
Officers cordoned off a house in the Lozells area of Birmingham where a car crashed into a house
Neighbours living on the road spoke of their horror after the violence erupted on their doorstep yesterday afternoon.
Zuzanna Wozinak, 21, said: ‘You just cannot fathom that people that young can be involved in something this horrifically violent.
‘I didn’t see what happened but I was told they just jumped this lad out of the blue, some had guns and some had knives.
‘It is the stuff of nightmares, of gangster movies. It’s terrifying.
‘My heart goes out to that poor boy’s family. The violence seems to be getting worse on our streets – it is becoming lawless around here.’
Another resident, who did not want to be named, added: ‘I no longer feel safe walking around here even in the daytime.
Emergency services (pictured) rushed to the scene following the ambush at around 3.30pm but the youngster, who has not been named, died shortly after arriving at hospital
‘There’s running gang wars and the police are nowhere to be seen until something like this happens.
‘He was just 15-year-old. He was a baby. How can this happen?’
A West Midlands Police spokesperson added: ‘Anyone who saw what happened and has not yet spoken to us should contact us urgently via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101.
‘Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said on Thursday: ‘We received a number of calls to Linwood Road in Handworth, at 3.39pm this afternoon.
‘Three ambulances, a paramedic officer, a critical care paramedic and a BASICS emergency doctor attended and arrived on scene to find a male requiring emergency treatment.
‘Ambulance crews provided advanced trauma care on scene before conveying him to hospital on blue lights.’