A 16-year-old boy has been taken to hospital with serious gunshot injuries after a shooting in Birmingham, West Midlands Police said.
The force said officers were called after the incident happened shortly before 17:30 BST on Bowyer Road in Alum Rock. The teenager was treated for wounds described by police as “potentially life-threatening”.
Police said the shooting took place near a mosque, but added that investigators did not currently believe the incident was linked to the place of worship. The force said local officers would remain in the area to speak to residents and others who may be concerned.
In a statement, West Midlands Police acknowledged the impact of the incident on the local community and said officers understood that people in the area would find the shooting extremely worrying. The force urged anyone with information to contact police or provide details anonymously through Crimestoppers.
The statement did not provide further details about the circumstances of the shooting, including whether any arrests had been made or whether a suspect had been identified. Police appeals in the immediate aftermath of serious incidents often focus on witnesses, dashcam footage, CCTV and any information that may help detectives establish what happened.
Bowyer Road is in Alum Rock, a busy residential area of Birmingham with local shops, homes and community facilities nearby. A shooting involving a teenager in a public area is likely to prompt additional police engagement, both to gather evidence and to provide reassurance to residents.
Firearms offences remain a serious policing priority because of the risk posed to victims and bystanders. In cases where a young person is injured, Detectives are expected to examine the circumstances around the shooting, including the movements of people in the area before and after the incident. West Midlands Police has not released any conclusion on those matters.
Residents with information have been asked to contact West Midlands Police directly, while those who do not want to speak to police can use Crimestoppers, which allows information to be passed on anonymously. Even small details, such as movements in the area around the time of the shooting, may assist investigators as they build a timeline of events.
The investigation remains at an early stage, with police continuing to appeal for information and maintain a local presence in Alum Rock. Further updates are expected from the force as officers establish the circumstances of the shooting and the condition of the injured teenager becomes clearer.
