A murder investigation is under way after a 26-year-old man was shot and killed in Birmingham last night in the latest of a string of gruesome killings.
The victim was discovered at the scene by officers shortly before 8pm on Friday in Bagshaw Road, Stechford, following reports of shots being fired.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Griffiths, of West Midland’s Police’s homicide unit, said: ‘We have spoken to a number of witnesses to try and get a clear understanding of the events leading up to this incident.
‘I would encourage anyone with information or dash cam footage who has not yet spoken to us to get in touch.’
A murder investigation is under way after a 26-year-old man was shot and killed in Birmingham last night in the latest of a string of gruesome killings
The victim was discovered at the scene by officers shortly before 8pm on Friday in Bagshaw Road, Stechford, following reports of shots being fired
He added: ‘We need the help of the community to come forward with information so that we can find the person or people responsible.
‘The man’s family are devastated and are being supported by specialist officers at this difficult time.’
Officers have secured the scene to preserve evidence and are speaking to witnesses and examining CCTV. Anyone with information should call the force on 101, quoting log 3897 from August 28.
The shooting is the latest in a string of gruesome killings to hit Birmingham in the last week, which saw six people stabbed in just 12 hours and left another two people dead
It followed a weekend of violence in the city, which saw six people stabbed in just 12 hours and left two people dead.
West Midlands Police have identified a 22-year-old man who was fatally shot in the stomach in broad daylight as Naasir Francis.
A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and a 23-year-old woman and 39-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender. They were all in custody to face questioning.
A 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder yesterday was released with no further action.
West Midlands Police have identified a 22-year-old man who was fatally shot in the stomach in broad daylight on Wednesday as Naasir Francis
Police at the junction of Wheeler Street and Lozells Road after the fatal shooting
Naasir was fatally wounded in broad daylight on Lozells Road to the north of the city centre on Wednesday.
His family paid tribute in a statement released by the West Midlands force, saying: ‘Naasir was the warm entity that bought a sense of security to the family. A deep comfort has been lost by his mother and siblings.
‘A much-loved and respected young man in his community, Naasir’s charming personality, birthed a light of spiritedness in the eyes of his family, a light that has dulled since his passing.’
And last Saturday another man was violently stabbed to death on the roadside in the Bournbrook area of the city.
Thomas Rogers, 26, was found with fatal injuries on the Bristol Road in Birmingham at around 4.55pm.
He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead shortly after arrival and a post-mortem examination revealed he died as a result of stab wounds to the chest.
His brother Samuel, 30, has been charged with his murder alongside a second man, 22-year-old Ryan Hurt.
Police have charged two men with murder after Thomas Rogers (pictured) was found fatally stabbed on the side of a busy Birmingham road in Bournbrook
The victim was found with fatal injuries on the Bristol Road in Birmingham at around 4.55pm on Saturday. Pictured: Police at the scene last Saturday
Police have also detained a 32-year-old suspect in Haltwhistle, Northumberland.
The week before that four young men were left injured in two double shootings 14 hours apart as the city’s deputy police and crime commissioner warned: “Things may get worse”.
Deputy PCC Waheed Saleem said: ‘The recent upsurge in violence, including these recent shootings is very worrying.
‘I’ve been saying for sometime now that the criminals are coming out of lockdown and are back committing violence and likely “settling scores”.
‘When you couple this with the usual surge in crime during the summer months, I am concerned about the possibility of very high demand for our police.’