A man in his
twenties has been shot dead and two others left in hospital with bullet
and knife wounds after 300 youths clashed on the streets of Birmingham.
The
main victim, named locally as Ikram Elahi, died in hospital after
suffering a single gunshot wound following a street battle over a
mystery 'dispute' last night.
Three
men in total were rushed to hospital after police were called to the
Sparkbrook area of Birmingham at 7.30pm on Wednesday. Two of the men had
been shot while the third suffered stab wounds.
Gunfight: A man in his twenties believed to be Ikram Elahi has been shot dead in the street and two others injured in Birmingham
Injured: A man covered in blood was helped by friends as he was hurt in the fighting involving hundreds of people last night
A spokesman for West Midlands Police confirmed an armed unit had been sent to the scene on the Stratford Road.
They
have arrested a 'number of people' following the violence and many
roads in the area remained cordoned off yesterday morning.
Local MP Roger
Godsiff said today he is liaising with police and said there are
'plenty of people (in the area) who express concerns that particular
properties are being used as drugs’ dens'.
Mariam
Khan, councillor for Washwood Heath tweeted: 'RIP Ikram Elahi. The
young man who passed away after getting shot this evening in Sparkbrook.
'A life lost over a dispute. Terrible news.'
A
witness, who did not want to be named, said: 'I heard a gunshot and
looked out of my window to see a man with his face covered running away
from the scene wielding a bat.
'Another guy was walking away and his arm was completely shredded and there was a lot of blood.
'I could hear someone down the road screaming and shouting 'I've been shot' again and again.
'Police arrived and taped off the road but there were tons of people around.
'There
was a huge crowd of young boys and they stayed for another couple of
hours and kept making a commotion, but left at about 9.30pm.'
Aftermath: Police cordon off a Sparkbrook street after violence erupted involving 300 people last night
Injuries: Two of the men had been shot while the third suffered stab wounds. One victim has died
One
shopkeeper, who did not want to give his name, said he had been locking
up for the day, at about 7.20pm, when he saw a 'large group' had
gathered.
He said: 'There were about 200 to 300 lads hanging around, it was a large number.
'Then after that lots of police came down.
'Customers have told me it's a murder investigation but I don't know what it's about.'
Last
night West Midlands Police tweeted: 'We're dealing with an incident in
Stratford Road, Sparkhill tonight. Diversions in place and road closed.
More info shortly.
'Two men taken to hospital with gunshot wounds and one with knife injury.
'Enquiries are ongoing and police presence remains in Sparkbrook.'
This
morning they added: 'We can confirm a man who was injured during
disorder in Sparkbrook last night has died in hospital after suffering a
gunshot wound.
'A number of arrests have been made following the Sparkbrook incident last night.'
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