Boy, 14, arrested on suspicion of murder after teen, 15, killed in ‘gun and knife gang ambush in broad daylight’
A 14-YEAR-OLD boy has been arrested after a teenager was murdered in broad daylight during an ambush by a gang armed with a gun and knives.
Gunshots were fired when the victim, 15, was set upon by a mob in Birmingham, West Midlands, yesterday afternoon.
The suspects fled in a white car, a Ford C-Max, which crashed into a house a short distance away in Wheeler Street.
Cops have this morning arrested a boy on suspicion of the killing. He remains in custody.
Detectives were called to Linwood Road in the Handsworth area of the city just after 3.30pm.
Paramedics rushed the victim to hospital. Tragically, despite the efforts of medics, he couldn’t be saved.
Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Orencas, from West Midlands Police, said: “This level of violence in broad daylight on a residential street is inconceivable, let alone the fact that the target was a 15-year-old boy.
“We are leaving no stone unturned in our search for those responsible and I ask anyone who knows who they are to contact us.
“The family of the boy has had the worst shock imaginable and we have specialist officers with them in their time of grief.”
He called the attack “heartbreaking”.
“Our investigation has progressed at pace and this arrest is a positive step forward as we try to establish exactly what happened yesterday afternoon,” he said.
“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 heartbreaking and deeply concerning.
“I’d urge anyone who saw anything or has any information to contact us as soon as possible.”
The force’s Chief Superintendent Ian Green last night spoke of his fury at the horror.
In a tweet, he said: “People will know who did this!
“15 years old… a child… please – no one deserves to be defended or covered for this.
“If you know anything, then do the right thing and let us know.
“It’s heartbreaking – a child gone and a family devastated.
“We have to work together to end this disease on our streets.”
Violence like this on our streets is heartbreaking and deeply concerning
Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Orencas
Witnesses have also spoken of their horror.
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.
“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?”
Forensics officers were seen last night and this morning combing the area for clues as police officers conducted house-to-house enquiries.
The abandoned getaway car was also being examined.
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “We received a number of calls to Linwood Road in Handsworth, at 3.39pm.
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“Three ambulances, a paramedic officer, a critical care paramedic and a 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.”
Anyone who saw what happened is urged to contact police urgently on 101. Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.