Gunmen carry out drive-by shooting during coronavirus lockdown

Police have launched an investigation after shots were fired at a taxi on Dudley Road in Birmingham on the afternoon of 9th April 2020.

Detectives were alerted after two men fired a gun at a taxi that was parked up outside Top Taste takeaway in Dudley Road just after 4.40pm on Thursday 9th April 2020.

An investigation is now underway and detectives are appealing to anyone who has any information to get in touch.

Police have confirmed that the taxi was empty at the time of the shooting and there were no bystanders when the incident happened.

The location of the shooting is within walking distance of City Hospital where NHS staff are tirelessly working around the clock battling with coronavirus.

West Midlands Police are concerned that “selfish” individuals are committing violent crimes while the city is under the coronavirus lockdown and key workers are trying their best to keep the public safe.

Detective Inspector Kat Sibley, who is leading the investigation, said:

“During an international pandemic, where people’s lives are already very much at risk, there is still a very small number of people committing violent crime on our streets.

“These selfish people do not care about the safety of anyone, not even their friends and family.

“It’s pure luck that their actions didn’t leave anyone needing treatment for serious or life-threatening injuries, which would have put extra strain on our amazing healthcare workers.

“Right now we’re doing crucial work to protect the NHS and save lives, but we also remain committed to tackling violence in all its forms.

“My team will be working round the clock this weekend to find the people responsible for this shooting. We’re determined to find and arrest them as soon as possible, so that we can free up more officers to help in the fight against COVID19.

“I’m urging the public to help us do this– if you know who carried out this attack, please do the right thing and tell us.”

Anyone who has any information relating to this incident please contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please quote log 2840 of 09/04/2020.