Man Gunned Down on Birmingham Street after Rival Gangs Clash

A local community were left in shock after witnessing a shooting on a Birmingham street that left one made dead and two others injured.

The victim, named locally as Ikram Elahi was gunned down as he walked along the street in the Sparkbrook area of the city at around 7.30pm on Wednesday (2 July) .

Witnesses described the attack as "heinous" and "inhumane."

Armed police were called to the area by horrified residents, one of whom described how people rushed from their homes to help after hearing gunfire.

Syed Shah told the Birmingham Mail: "There were two shots, 30 seconds apart, and then I heard someone crying. People came out of their houses. There was a young man in the road and someone was holding him, crying. I've never seen such a heinous crime. It's just inhumane."

Police confirmed that Mr. Elahi died in hospital after suffering a single gunshot wound following a street battle over a mystery 'dispute' last night.

In a statement a police spokesman said: "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."

Two other men were taken to hospital, one with a gunshot wound and another with a slash across his chest.

It's believed the incident occurred after 300 youths clashed on the streets of Birmingham.

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."

A local shopkeeper, who also did not want to be identified, said he had been closing up his store up for the day, at 7.20pm, when he saw a 'large group' had gathered.

"'There were about 200 to 300 lads hanging around, it was a large number," he said. "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."

A spokesman for West Midlands Police confirmed an armed unit had been sent to the scene on the Stratford Road and Grantham Road and Farm Road remained cordoned off while detectives continued their investigations.

"Five men have been arrested in connection with the disorder ... and are currently helping detectives with their enquiries."

Local MP Roger Godsiff has said that members of the local community have expressed their concerns about properties in the area being used as drug dens.

There is a strong police presence in the Sparkbrook area after the attack

Anyone with information is asked contact West Midlands Police on the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.