Shots fired at van in 'targeted attack' after Balsall Heath crash

Wrecked Citroen was inside police cordon as officers sealed off the scene, near the junction of Mary Street and Basall Heath Road

Shots were fired in a "targeted attack" after a crash on a Birmingham street.

The occupants of a grey Citroen C3 were shot at as they fled the scene near the junction of Mary Street and Balsall Health Road at 8pm on Tuesday, May 26.

It happened after it collided with a white Volkswagen Transporter.

Police were studying CCTV which showed the shots being fired. The scene was sealed off and the wrecked Citroen was inside the cordon.

No-one was believed to have been hurt.

Det Insp Richard Marsh, from force CID, said: “We are keeping an open mind as investigations are in the early stages, however it would appear this was a targeted attack.

“The Citroen has been recovered for forensic examination and CCTV is being reviewed as we urgently appeal for any information.

“We are particularly keen to trace the movements and occupants of the VW Transporter that we believe was involved.”

Several police vans were in place at the ends of the cordon and a finger-tip search was conducted on Wednesday morning.

A passer-by said: “Two detectives are there. A search team has arrived. Both ends of the street are cordoned off. There is a grey Citroen which is completely battered and a lamppost is down.”

One local said: “Yesterday evening around 8pm we were outside on Hampden Retreat, which is off Mary Street.

“We heard a bang and knew someone had had an accident.

“As we went towards to road we heard a bang which sounded like a firework and then one more.

“By the time we turned the corner the white van came racing back up the road.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat on our website or calling 101. Please quote 20BE/121156G/20.