Britain02 July, 20262 min read
16-Year-Old Shot Near Birmingham Mosque on Bowyer Road, West Midlands Police Say
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A 16-year-old boy sustained potentially life-threatening gunshot wounds on Bowyer Road near a mosque. Police reported the incident occurred shortly before 5.30pm on Wednesday.
Shooting near mosque
A teenage boy was shot in Birmingham on Bowyer Road in the Alum Rock area shortly before 5.30pm on Wednesday, and West Midlands Police said the 16-year-old was taken to hospital with potentially life-threatening gunshot wounds. West Midlands Police said officers were carrying out forensic and CCTV enquiries and speaking to people in the area after the shooting near a mosque.
“Although this happened near a mosque, at this stage we do not believe the shooting to be connected to this place of worship.”
The BBC reported that police said: "Although this happened near a mosque, at this stage we do not believe the shooting to be connected to this place of worship." The Telegraph said two local councillors, Nosheen Khalid and Shaukat Mahmood, urged the community not to speculate about the crime after it took place near a mosque.
Calls for restraint
In a statement reported by The Telegraph, Nosheen Khalid and Shaukat Mahmood said: "At times like this, we would ask everyone to come together as a community with compassion and respect," and they urged people to avoid speculating or sharing photos or videos from the scene. The Telegraph also quoted the councillors warning that "Unverified information can cause further distress to families and may hinder the police investigation."
Sky News said police appealed for anyone who saw what happened or has footage from the area to contact them, and it noted officers were particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam or doorbell footage. The BBC said investigators remained at the scene and police urged anyone with further information to get in contact or speak to Crimestoppers.
Investigation and next steps
West Midlands Police said officers remained at the scene after sectioning off parts of Bowyer Road, and they asked witnesses and anyone with footage to call 101 or speak to them via the Live Chat on the West Midlands Police website quoting log 4638 of 1 July. The BBC reported that police said: "We understand this is extremely worrying for people in the area, and local officers will be remaining there to speak to anyone with concerns."
“We understand this is extremely worrying for people in the area, and local officers will be remaining there to speak to anyone with concerns.”
The Telegraph said investigators remained at the crime scene late on Wednesday after carrying out forensic and CCTV enquiries and speaking to people in the area. Sky News said the boy has been taken to hospital and that, at this stage, officers do not believe the shooting is connected to the mosque.