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Man seriously injured in drive-by shooting in Smethwick

Six gun shots were heard ringing out during the attack in Smethwick.

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Police cordoned off the junction of Highbury Road and Mallin Street, in West Smethwick. Picture: @SnapperSK

A man has been seriously injured in a drive-by shooting as he walked down a street in Smethwick.

The victim, a 21-year-old man, suffered a serious eye injury in the gun attack which happened last night.

He remains in hospital today while West Midlands Police carry out on investigation.

People living near the scene claim to have heard six gun shots ring out during the attack.

There was apparent damage to the windscreen of this car following the incident. Picture: @SnapperSK

Mallin Street has been closed off the junction with Highbury Road, in West Smethwick, since around 9pm.

People at the scene say officers have been on patrol in the area overnight near the Ivy Bush pub.

Police say the man was walking along when a large dark coloured 4x4 type car stopped alongside him.

Shots were fired towards him before the car was driven away, say West Midlands Police.

Two cars parked nearby are believed to have damage to their windscreens due to the incident.

A 35-year-old man said he was just watching TV when he heard "six loud gunshots".

He said: "I was in bed, just lying watching telly. It was about half past eight or 9pm and I heard about six loud gunshots.

"Then I heard this car speeding off. I looked outside and saw this poor guy on the floor.

"In a matter of minutes the police were here.

"It's just mental. It's normally a peaceful street, we can't believe this happened."

Another resident, who asked not to be named, added: "We heard gunshots but did not see anything.

"There was a lot of noise and the sound of a very fast car. Then there were lots of police, it became very busy very quickly.

"We don't know what happened, but it sounded horrible."

Police are particularly keen to speak to a person thought to have witnessed the shooting.

Detective Sergeant Lee Bailey, from Force CID, team, said: “We are in the early stages of our investigation and I am keen to hear from anyone who was in the area last night and may have heard or seen anything.

A police van was positioned at the cordon to block the roads off. Picture: @SnapperSK

“We are aware that a person walking down Mallin Street witnessed the incident before fleeing on foot.

"We are particularly interested in speaking to this person.

"We are also keen to speak to any drivers who were in the general area, especially if they have dashcam footage.

Police closed off the roads in the area while an investigation got under way. Picture: @SnapperSK

“If you know anything about what happened last night, please speak to us."

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or is Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Quote log number 2539 of 8 October.

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