A 16-year-old boy was shot on a street corner in Alum Rock, Birmingham, on the evening of July 1, leaving the community in shock. A mosque volunteer, Mahmoud Radwan, rushed to aid the victim, who was in critical condition as of July 2.
Volunteer's Account
Mahmoud Radwan, 41, was driving a hearse back to Zia-Ul-Quran Masjid on Bowyer Road when he heard a bang and realized a boy had been shot. He ran to help the teenager, urging him to recite the Shahada, an Islamic prayer, until paramedics arrived. Radwan said he saw a suspect fleeing on an electric bike. "I heard a bang, like a cylinder firing. I tried to help the boy. He was in shock and kept asking for his drink. We were trying to make him say Shahada. He was repeating after me," Radwan recounted. "I helped to lift him up and the ambulance took him away. It was so sad. It was so horrible and violent and not worth it at all."
Police Investigation
West Midlands Police arrested a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder hours after the shooting. The suspect remained in police custody on July 2. Detective Inspector Francis Nock of the Major Crime Team said: "Our investigation is continuing and I would urge anyone who might have seen something or has dashcam or doorbell footage to get in touch. Officers will be in the area today to offer reassurance to the local community."
Community Reaction
Residents were coming to terms with the incident. A mother who lives nearby said: "I heard a bang which sounded like the noise cars make from their exhaust. I ran into the garden because my kids were playing there and everything was OK. A few minutes later I heard the police, ambulance and the helicopter. There was a crowd, I knew it was serious because there was a helicopter. I've lived here 30 years and it wasn't like this. We're considering moving out of the area for the sake of my kids."
Fingertip searches and forensics were underway at the scene on Bowyer Road. Police urged anyone with information to call 101 or use Live Chat quoting log 4638 of 1 July.
